The African Policy and Research Consortium (APRC), a Pan-African think tank, has endorsed Nigerian legal scholar and diplomat, Prof. Akasoba Duke-Abiola, for the position of United Nations Secretary-General.
The consortium, which focuses on promoting Africa’s development through research, innovation and strategic partnerships, announced its support in a nomination letter signed by its Deputy Executive-Coordinator, Prof. Edward Agbai.
The letter, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, comes ahead of the expiration of the tenure of the current UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, on December 31, 2026.
According to Agbai, the organisation welcomed the communication received through the Nigerian National Think Tank regarding Duke-Abiola’s proposed candidature.
“We commend your distinguished record of public service and your willingness to serve the international community at the highest level,” he said.
He noted that the office of the UN Secretary-General requires not only exceptional leadership qualities but also the formal nomination of a member state.
Agbai explained that under established UN procedures, candidates for the position are officially nominated by their respective governments before their names are submitted to the President of the UN Security Council for consideration.
The Security Council is responsible for recommending a candidate to the UN General Assembly, which then appoints the Secretary-General.
He stressed that, in Nigeria’s case, only the President has the constitutional authority to formally nominate a candidate for the position.
“As such, any Nigerian aspiring to become Secretary-General must first obtain the official nomination and endorsement of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria before the candidature can be presented to the United Nations,” he said.
The APRC therefore urged President Bola Tinubu to endorse Duke-Abiola’s candidacy, describing the move as an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s international standing and reinforce the country’s campaign for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
According to the consortium, presenting Duke-Abiola as Nigeria’s candidate would showcase the country’s commitment to offering a highly qualified African leader capable of providing effective global leadership.
It added that her candidacy would also project Africa as a continent capable of contributing ideas, diplomacy, institutional experience and moral leadership to global governance.
Prof. Akasoba Duke-Abiola is a Nigerian law professor, human rights advocate, diplomat and development expert whose work spans governance, security, sustainable development and international leadership.
