President Bola Tinubu extended his congratulations on Saturday to Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Botchwey, on her election as the next Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
On Friday, during a meeting of leaders from 56 Commonwealth nations in Apia, Samoa, Botchwey, a 61-year-old former legislator and Ghana’s foreign minister for the past seven years, was chosen as the 7th Secretary-General. She is set to take office on April 1, 2025.
Botchwey becomes the second African to hold this position in the Commonwealth’s 75-year history, following Nigeria’s Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who served from July 1, 1990, to March 31, 2000.
According to a statement from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Botchwey had Nigeria’s support in her bid for the role.
President Tinubu expressed confidence that her extensive experience in public administration, foreign affairs, and regional development makes her exceptionally well-suited for the position.
“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 added.