President of Nigeria Bola Tinubu has congratulated Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, on her election as the next Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
Botchwey, who has held her ministerial role for the past seven years, was elected by leaders of the 56 Commonwealth nations during a recent meeting in Apia, Samoa. She will be the second African to hold this position, following Nigeria’s Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who served from 1990 to 2000. Botchwey is set to assume office on April 1, 2025.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in Botchwey’s qualifications, citing her extensive experience in foreign affairs and regional development.
He believes her leadership will strengthen the Commonwealth’s efforts to foster economic and political partnerships and enhance its influence on the global stage. Additionally, Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to advocating for greater intra-Commonwealth trade, African exports, and a unified push for Africa’s representation on the United Nations Security Council.
He also extended gratitude to the outgoing Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, for her years of service and wished her well in her future endeavors.
