President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Shirley Botchwey, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, on her appointment as the Commonwealth’s next secretary-general.

According to PUNCH Online, Botchwey was chosen as the 7th Secretary-General by the 56 Commonwealth presidents who met in Apia, Samoa, on Friday, 25 October 2024.

It is anticipated that the 61-year-old former politician, who has been Ghana’s Foreign Minister for the past seven years, would take office on April 1, 2025.

After Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria, who held the office from July 1, 1990, to March 31, 2000, Botchwey is the second African to be chosen Secretary-General of the Commonwealth in its 75-year history.

The President claimed she has Nigeria’s support for the top Commonwealth position in a statement released on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to Tinubu, Botchwey’s long background in regional development, international policy, and public administration makes her an ideal candidate for the position.

“He believes that the Commonwealth’s efforts to create significant political and economic alliances that spur development and strengthen the bloc’s influence in international affairs would be revitalized by Botchwey’s leadership experience.

President Tinubu is eager to collaborate with the incoming Secretary-General in furthering the Commonwealth’s mission to promote fairness, peace, and prosperity for all of its member states.

“The President reiterates Nigeria’s dedication to supporting a Commonwealth that places a high priority on bolstering intra-commonwealth trade, African exports, and a united presence at the UN that backs an African bid for permanent representation at the Security Council.”

The statement went on to say, “The President wishes the outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, the best of luck in her future endeavors and thanks her for her years of leadership.”

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