Tinubu Congratulates Ghana’s Shirley Botchwey On Election As Commonwealth Secretary-General

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Botchwey, on her election as the next Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. 

Leaders from the 56 Commonwealth nations, gathered in Apia, Samoa, elected Botchwey as the 7th Secretary-General on Friday.

Botchwey, 61, who served as Ghana’s Foreign Minister for seven years, will take office on April 1, 2025, becoming only the second African to lead the Commonwealth in its 75-year history. 

She follows in the footsteps of Nigeria’s Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who served as Secretary-General from 1990 to 2000.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s strong support for Botchwey’s candidacy, emphasising her depth of experience in foreign affairs, public administration, and regional development.

“President Tinubu is confident that Botchwey’s leadership will bring renewed energy to the Commonwealth’s mission, enhancing economic and political partnerships that foster development and amplify the bloc’s influence in global affairs,” Onanuga stated.

Tinubu also conveyed his eagerness to work alongside Botchwey to advance the Commonwealth’s goals of promoting peace, equity, and prosperity for all member nations. 

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening intra-Commonwealth trade, supporting African exports, and advocating for African representation on the United Nations Security Council.