Abuja: Prof. Akasoba Duke-Abiola has welcomed her endorsement for United Nations Secretary-General, describing the nomination as a solemn call to serve humanity, particularly women and children.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, Duke-Abiola said the endorsement by African nations, through the African Policy and Research Consortium (APRC), was greater than personal recognition. She said the confidence reposed in her strengthened her commitment to integrity, intellectual leadership, public service, and humanity.
Duke-Abiola emphasized that the broad support reflects APRC’s continental reach, credibility, and commitment to evidence-based leadership, regional cooperation, and Africa’s rightful place in global affairs. She noted that her recent doctorate in Sustainable Development, with emphasis on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, further deepened her commitment to peace, justice, dignity, and cooperation.
She highlighted the nomination’s significance for African women, noting that millions of girls across the continent still face poverty, insecurity, early marriage, and limited education. The endorsement, she said, demonstrated that African women could lead globally, while urging that the dreams, dignity, and potential of every African child remain central to international affairs.
Duke-Abiola expressed appreciation to nations, heads of state, institutional partners, scholars, diplomats, public servants, and development advocates who contributed to her nomination. She disclosed that she had commenced broad consultations with family, elders, statesmen, professional colleagues, diplomatic partners, and thought leaders across Africa and internationally.
Describing the office of UN Secretary-General as a ‘sacred trust,’ Duke-Abiola stated that any decision must reflect conscience, national interest, continental responsibility, and global peace. She called for stronger African intellectual and policy networks to address conflict, displacement, inequality, climate insecurity, and declining confidence in global institutions.
It would be recalled that the APRC, a Pan-African think tank, had endorsed Duke-Abiola for the UN position. The Deputy Executive-Coordinator of the body, Prof. Edward Agbai, had disclosed the development in Abuja, stating that the consortium received Duke-Abiola’s nomination through the Nigerian National Think Tank for consideration for the UN’s top office, following the impending end of Ant³nio Guterres’ tenure.