- Duke-Abiola accepted her nomination for UN Secretary-General
- She has begun consultations with leaders and diplomatic partners
- She urged African women and youths to pursue education and leadership
Nigerian law professor and diplomat, Akasoba Duke-Abiola, has formally accepted her nomination to contest for the position of United Nations Secretary-General.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Duke-Abiola, who is the widow of the late businessman and politician, Chief Moshood Abiola, announced her decision in a statement on Saturday following her endorsement by the African Policy and Research Consortium.
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The consortium, comprising government officials, academics, policy experts and development practitioners, said its network extends across several African countries and other regions, including South Africa, Rwanda, Egypt, Barbados and Chile.
Duke-Abiola described the endorsement as both an honour and a responsibility, particularly to vulnerable groups such as women and children.
She said her academic background in sustainable development and work around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals had deepened her commitment to peace, justice, human dignity and international cooperation.
According to her, the support for her nomination also carries broader significance for African women and girls facing poverty, insecurity, early marriage, exclusion and limited educational opportunities.
Duke-Abiola said the endorsement demonstrated that African women could aspire to and occupy positions of global leadership, while stressing the need to keep the welfare and future of African children at the centre of international policymaking.
She expressed appreciation to government leaders, diplomats, academics, public officials, institutional partners and development advocates who supported her nomination.
The diplomat also disclosed that she had commenced consultations with family members, traditional and political elders, statesmen and women, professional colleagues, diplomatic partners and thought leaders across Africa and internationally.
She said the consultations were necessary given the significance of the UN Secretary-General position, which she described as a major responsibility to humanity.
Duke-Abiola called for stronger African institutions capable of addressing challenges such as armed conflicts, displacement, inequality, climate-related insecurity and declining public confidence in international institutions.
She further encouraged African women and young people to remain ambitious despite difficult circumstances, urging them to pursue education, develop leadership skills and contribute to global development.
She said circumstances should not determine their future, stressing that African youths should continue to pursue excellence and aspire to leadership at all levels.
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