President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended his congratulations to Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, on her recent election as the next Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
The announcement came after leaders from the 56 Commonwealth member nations, gathered in Apia, Samoa, and selected Botchwey, a former legislator, to assume the prestigious role starting April 1, 2025.
At age 61, Botchwey will become only the second African to hold the position in the Commonwealth’s 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.