February 17, (THEWILL) –Nigeria has urged the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to prioritize the establishment of a combined maritime task force to strengthen security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to regional security and offered to host the headquarters of the proposed task force in Lagos.
“The time has come for the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritize the creation of a Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea. Nigeria is prepared to host the headquarters of this task force in Lagos,” Tinubu said in a statement delivered by Foreign Minister Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.
Nigeria’s push for enhanced maritime security coincided with the signing of an agreement between the country and the AU for Strategic Sea Lift Services. Under the agreement, the Nigerian Navy will provide a vessel for AU peace support operations, humanitarian missions, and disaster relief on a cost-recovery basis. The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, while AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, signed on behalf of the AU.
Tinubu commended the AUPSC for adopting decisions to strengthen regional security, including the upgrade of Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre into a Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre. He also welcomed the renewal of the Multinational Joint Task Force’s mandate to tackle terrorism and violent extremism in the Lake Chad region.
On Libya, the Nigerian leader expressed deep concerns over the continued instability in the North African country, warning that it has worsened security challenges in the Sahel.
“The Sahel cannot enjoy peace as long as Libya does not,” he warned, calling for AU support to restore order in the troubled nation.
He also highlighted growing insecurity in African nations facing democratic transitions, including Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Gabon. Tinubu urged the AU to consider leveraging the benefits of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to support AU peace operations.
“It is imperative to prevent the increasing incursion of extra-continental forces, including private military companies, into African security matters,” he cautioned.
In addition to security concerns, Tinubu strongly advocated for the establishment of an African-led credit rating agency (ACRA), arguing that it would ensure fairer and more transparent credit assessments for African economies.
“An independent African-led rating agency will help provide fairer assessments of African economies and reduce the bias often observed in existing global rating agencies,” he said.
The Nigerian leader also praised the AU, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance for advancing the Africa Financing Stability Mechanism (AFSM), which he described as a critical initiative to address the continent’s financial vulnerabilities.
“The establishment of the AFSM underscores the collective commitment of member states to addressing financial vulnerabilities and fostering economic resilience across the continent,” Tinubu said. “This mechanism will support member states in achieving their national development objectives and creating economic opportunities for citizens.”
Tinubu acknowledged the progress made during the 5th Extraordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, held in Abuja in November 2025, and called for the swift adoption of the AFSM by AU member states.
“The adoption of the AFSM will enhance financial stability, strengthen resilience against external shocks, and provide a more coordinated approach to managing financial risks across the continent,” he noted.
The AU Summit, which concluded on Sunday, focused on institutional reforms, security challenges, and economic development across Africa.
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