President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, on her election as the next Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
Leaders of the 56 Commonwealth nations, meeting in Apia, Samoa, selected Botchwey, a former lawmaker, to assume the role on April 1, 2025.
Botchwey, 61, is only the second African to lead the Commonwealth in its 75-year history, following Nigeria’s Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who served from 1990 to 2000.
Nigeria supported Botchwey’s bid for the position with President Tinubu viewing her background in public administration, foreign affairs, and regional development as an asset for the Commonwealth’s future.
In a statement by his Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Ononuga, President Tinubu expressed confidence in Botchwey’s leadership abilities, expecting her to advance the Commonwealth’s efforts in fostering economic and political partnerships, as well as strengthening the bloc’s influence in global affairs.
He highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to a Commonwealth that champions intra-Commonwealth trade, African exports, and increased African representation at the United Nations, particularly in the bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council.
President Tinubu also extended his gratitude to the outgoing Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, acknowledging her years of leadership and wishing her well in her future endeavours.
“President Bola Tinubu congratulates Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, on her election as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
“On Friday, leaders of the 56 Commonwealth nations meeting in Apia, Samoa, elected Botchwey, a 61-year-old former lawmaker who has served as Ghana’s foreign minister for the last seven years, as the 7th Secretary-General.
“She is expected to assume office on April 1, 2025.
“Botchwey is the second African to be elected secretary-general of the Commonwealth in its 75-year history, after Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria, who served in that position from July 1, 1990, to March 31, 2000.
“She had the backing of Nigeria for the top commonwealth job.
“The Nigerian leader believes that Botchwey’s extensive career in public administration, foreign affairs and regional development makes her a perfect fit for the job.
“He trusts that Botchwey’s leadership experience will bring renewed energy to the Commonwealth’s efforts to advance meaningful economic and political partnerships that drive development and amplify the bloc’s voice in global affairs.
“President Tinubu looks forward to working with the incoming Secretary-General to advance the Commonwealth’s vision of fostering peace, equity and prosperity for all member nations.
“The President reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to championing a Commonwealth that prioritises strengthening intra-commonwealth trade, African exports, and a unified presence at the United Nations that supports an African bid for a permanent representation at the Security Council.
“The President thanks the outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, for her years of leadership and wishes her the best in her future endeavours,” the statement reads.