Nigeria has officially taken over the leadership of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) for May 2026. This pivotal move marks Nigeria’s return to the head of the council for the first time since December 2022, signaling a renewed period of influence in continental security matters.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared the news through a statement by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa. Nigeria will spend its chairmanship focusing on critical security challenges that affect both the West African sub-region and the wider continent. The agenda is packed with high-stakes discussions aimed at stabilizing fragile regions and strengthening Africa’s collective defense.
One of the primary areas of focus for the month will be the ongoing crisis in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel, specifically looking at how climate change is fueling conflict and displacement in those areas. Beyond environmental factors, the council will also tackle the rise of transnational organized crime and review the draft of a five-year strategic plan designed to improve counter-terrorism efforts across Africa.
Military and maritime security are also high on the list of priorities. Nigeria is expected to lead talks on making the African Standby Force fully operational and fine-tuning the Combined Maritime Task Force. These initiatives are seen as essential steps toward ending piracy and securing the Gulf of Guinea, which remains a vital corridor for international trade.
The Peace and Security Council is composed of 15 member nations, each elected to serve terms of two or three years. Currently, Nigeria sits on the council alongside a diverse group of countries including Benin, Gabon, Algeria, Lesotho, Morocco, Somalia, and South Africa. Other active members involved in these crucial deliberations include Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and Eswatini.
As Nigeria steers the council this May, the diplomatic community will be watching closely to see how these discussions translate into actionable solutions for Africa’s most pressing security threats.
