Kehinde Fajobi
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Botchwey, on her election as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Botchwey, 61, who has served as Ghana’s foreign minister for seven years, was chosen on Friday by leaders of the 56 Commonwealth nations in Apia, Samoa.
She will officially take office on April 1, 2025, becoming only the second African to hold the role, following Nigeria’s Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who served from 1990 to 2000.
In a statement from Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president expressed confidence in Botchwey’s “extensive career in public administration, foreign affairs, and regional development,” which he said made her “a perfect fit for the job.”
The statement added, “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.”
Tinubu affirmed that Nigeria backed Botchwey’s candidacy and looks forward to collaborating with her to “advance the Commonwealth’s vision of fostering peace, equity, and prosperity for all member nations.”
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to a Commonwealth that strengthens intra-Commonwealth trade, supports African exports, and advocates for an African bid for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council.
Finally, Tinubu thanked the outgoing Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, for her leadership, extending his “best wishes” for her future endeavours.