Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to driving Africa’s economic transformation and continental integration, declaring that there is no alternative to African unity.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday during the commemoration of the 2026 Africa Day celebration, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, would continue to pursue policies aimed at strengthening sustainable development and deepening regional cooperation across the continent.
The event, organised by the African Union Forum of African Missions, marked the anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union, in 1963. The 2026 celebration was themed: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation System to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
According to a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the minister, Dr. Magnus Eze, the minister described Africa Day as a reminder of the continent’s shared history, collective struggles and common aspirations.
“Africa Day is far more than a ceremonial observance. It is a powerful symbol of the enduring vision and courage of our founding fathers, who in 1963 established the Organization of African Unity, now the African Union, with the noble objective of promoting solidarity, safeguarding sovereignty, and advancing the political and economic liberation of our continent,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that African unity remains critical to tackling insecurity, economic inequality, climate vulnerability and other shared challenges confronting the continent.
“Our progress as a continent depends on our ability to act together, to speak with one voice, and to confront shared challenges with shared solutions,” she stated.
The minister also called for increased investment in sustainable water management and sanitation infrastructure across Africa, warning that millions of Africans still lack access to clean water and adequate sanitation services.
She noted that water remains central to public health, food production, industrial growth, energy generation and environmental sustainability, adding that climate change, desertification, pollution and rapid urbanisation continue to worsen water challenges on the continent.
“We must invest in resilient infrastructure, strengthen regional cooperation over shared water resources, embrace innovation and technology, and prioritize policies that guarantee equitable access for all,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu added that the theme of this year’s Africa Day aligns with the aspirations of Agenda 2063, the continent’s development blueprint for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
She urged African nations to preserve their cultural heritage and strengthen cooperation for peace-building, regional integration and prosperity.
“As we celebrate Africa Day today, let us renew our faith in Africa. Let us strengthen our bonds of unity, cherish and preserve our cultural heritage, and recommit ourselves to building a continent where every citizen has access to dignity, opportunity, and prosperity,” she added.
