Nigeria has restated its commitment to lead Africa’s economic transformation and deeper continental integration.
Speaking at the 2026 Africa Day event in Abuja, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said President Bola Tinubu’s administration will keep backing policies that promote sustainable development and stronger regional cooperation.
The event was organized by the Forum of African Missions to mark the anniversary of the Organization of African Unity, now the African Union, founded in 1963. This year’s theme was “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation System to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Africa’s progress depends on nations working together to tackle shared challenges.
“There is no alternative to African unity,” she said. She described Africa Day as a symbol of the continent’s shared history, struggles, and hopes for a united, peaceful, and prosperous future.
The minister noted that the OAU’s founding fathers envisioned a continent built on solidarity, sovereignty, and economic liberation. She said that vision still guides African leaders today.
She stressed the importance of water and sanitation, calling water central to survival, food security, industry, energy, and the environment. She warned that millions of Africans still lack clean water and adequate sanitation, and that this threatens health, livelihoods, and economic stability.
“As Africa confronts climate change, desertification, pollution, and rapid urbanization, our commitment to sustainable water management must become more deliberate and coordinated,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged countries to invest in resilient infrastructure, cooperate on shared water resources, and adopt new technologies to ensure fair access to water and sanitation. She said the theme aligns with Agenda 2063, the AU’s plan for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
She also said African culture has a key role in promoting peace, integration, and development. The continent’s diversity, she added, should serve as a bridge for deeper understanding and cooperation.
The minister listed insecurity, economic inequality, climate vulnerability, and global injustices as challenges that require joint African action. She called on Africans to renew their faith in the continent and commit to a future where every citizen enjoys dignity, opportunity, and prosperity.
