Nigeria has expressed its support for the African Union’s (AU) proposed institutional reforms that focus on enhancing peace and security governance, strengthening democratic institutions, and fostering greater cooperation with international financial bodies and the private sector. This endorsement was articulated by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, at the recent 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The proposed reforms seek to streamline AU operations to better address challenges faced by African nations.

In his presentation, Shettima emphasized the importance of restructuring AU institutions to improve domestic and regional resource mobilization for development financing, particularly for affordable initiatives. The reforms include the implementation of a continental framework aimed at reducing inequality, which is predicated on gathering reliable data, enhancing social protection, generating productive jobs, and establishing inclusive industrial policies across Africa. This approach indicates a significant shift towards more data-driven and strategic governance at the continental level.

Nigeria's backing of these institutional reforms highlights the nation's commitment to fostering stability and development across Africa. By empowering democratic institutions and ensuring effective governance in peace and security areas, Nigeria aims to contribute to a more robust framework that can address evolving challenges across the continent. The success of these reforms will likely hinge on the collaboration between African nations and their partners, ensuring that initiatives are both practical and widely supported to achieve meaningful impact.