Nigeria has assumed the chairmanship of the African Union Peace and Security Council for the month of May 2026, with key discussions expected to focus on terrorism, climate ce, piracy, and broader security challenges across the continent.
This development was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa. The ministry noted that Nigeria last held the position in December 2022 and remains the only member of the African Union to have served continuously on the council since its elishment in 2004.
According to the statement, Nigeria will leverage its institutional experience to guide deliberations throughout its tenure. The May 2026 session is expected to address both thematic and country specific issues affecting West Africa, the Sahel region, and the continent at large.
Among the key agenda items are the impact of climate ce on crisis situations in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel, strategies for combating transnational organised crime, and the development of a five year continental counter terrorism action plan. Discussions will also cover the operationalisation of the African Standby Force and efforts to strengthen maritime security through a Combined Maritime Task Force to address piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
The ministry explained that the Peace and Security Council comprises 15 member states elected by the Executive Council and endorsed by the AU Assembly, with members serving two or three year terms based on regional representation.
Current members of the council include Nigeria alongside countries such as Benin, Gabon, Algeria, Morocco, Somalia, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Cameroon, among others.
Nigeria’s leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping continental responses to pressing security and environmental challenges, reinforcing its position as a key actor in regional peace and firmness efforts.
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