Nigeria has called for fiscal discipline, institutional accountability, reform, and timely implementation of audit recommendations across African Union (AU) organs.

Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, made the call in a statement on Wednesday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the ministry.

The statement is coming against the backdrop of the minister’s report of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) delivered at the opening of the 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union in Addis Ababa.

Mr Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to institutional reform, principled multilateral cooperation, and a stronger, more accountable African Union.

According to him, expanding personnel numbers without measurable improvements in output risks weakening institutional efficiency.

He expressed concern over discrepancies in financial records, violations of procurement and contracting rules, low rate of recovery of loans and advance payments.

Mr Tuggar urged the Council to adopt a clear timeline for the full implementation of all outstanding audit recommendations without exception.

On multilateral engagement, he said Nigeria supported the application of the Banjul Formula in forthcoming Africa–India and Africa–Türkiye partnerships, while underscoring the importance of coordinated continental positions.

The minister highlighted the situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), refugees, and vulnerable populations, while calling for greater attention to the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.

Meanwhile, the minister cautioned against third-country arrangements that externalize migrant processing, noting that such frameworks risk undermining the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the AU’s efforts to end statelessness.

Mr Tuggar, however, welcomed progress made under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), while stressing the urgency of filling the head of division for digital trade position within the secretariat. 

(NAN)