Nigerian law professor and diplomat Akasoba Duke-Abiola has accepted her nomination and endorsement for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Duke-Abiola, the widow of 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, a network comprising government officials, academics, policy experts and development practitioners from Africa and beyond.
Her emergence comes at a time when calls are growing for stronger African representation in the leadership of major international institutions.
But for Duke-Abiola, the nomination is bigger than a personal political or diplomatic ambition.
The law professor said she sees the endorsement as a responsibility to serve humanity, particularly vulnerable populations whose voices are often missing from global decision-making.
“I receive with profound humility and a deep sense of responsibility the nomination and endorsement extended to me by the African Nations through the instrumentality of the African Policy and Research Consortium,” she said.
“This honour is greater than personal recognition. I regard it as a solemn call to serve, especially the vulnerable communities including women and children.”
Duke-Abiola said her academic and professional work in sustainable development and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals had prepared her for the responsibility now before her.
She identified peace, justice, human dignity and international cooperation as some of the principles that would guide her approach to the role.
The diplomat also said she was encouraged by the geographical spread of the support behind her nomination.
According to her, the consortium has links across several African countries and other parts of the world, including South Africa, Rwanda, Egypt, Barbados and Chile.
“That a network operating across the majority of the African countries, including South Africa, Rwanda, Egypt, Barbados, Chile and other regions, has considered me worthy of this responsibility is both humbling and inspiring,” she said.
For Duke-Abiola, however, the significance of the nomination extends beyond who eventually occupies the UN’s top administrative office.
She said her candidacy carries a message for African women and girls confronting poverty, insecurity, early marriage, exclusion and limited access to education.
“As an African woman, I understand the wider significance of this nomination,” she said.
“This endorsement sends a powerful message that African women can lead globally and that the dreams, dignity and potential of every African child must remain central to the international agenda.”
Duke-Abiola disclosed that she had begun consultations with members of her family, elders, statesmen and women, professional colleagues, diplomatic partners and thought leaders across Africa and internationally.
She said the consultations were necessary given the weight of the position and the implications of any decision to pursue the UN’s highest diplomatic office.
“Given the magnitude of this responsibility, I have commenced broad consultations with family, elders, statesmen and women, professional colleagues, diplomatic partners, leaders of thought across Africa and internationally,” she said.
“These consultations are being undertaken with the seriousness, wisdom and reflection that this historic matter deserves.”
She described the position of UN Secretary-General as a “sacred trust on behalf of humanity”, saying any decision concerning the office must be approached with conscience, national interest, continental responsibility and a commitment to global peace.
Calls For Stronger African Institutions
Beyond her own nomination, Duke-Abiola used the occasion to call for stronger intellectual and policy institutions across Africa.
She said the continent needed institutions capable of developing practical responses to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including armed conflicts, displacement, inequality, climate insecurity and declining public confidence in international institutions.
She also urged African women and young people not to allow difficult circumstances to determine the limits of their ambitions.
“Never doubt your capacity to lead, govern wisely and contribute meaningfully to humanity,” she said.
“Your circumstances must never define your destiny. Continue to pursue education, courage and excellence, and continue to dream boldly.”
Duke-Abiola thanked heads of state, diplomats, academics, public officials, institutional partners and development advocates who backed her nomination, while stressing that the consultations would continue as she considers the significance of the endorsement and the road ahead.
