Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said Nigeria and the African Union (AU) Commission reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, tackling security challenges, and expanding investment in artificial intelligence (AI) to drive sustainable development. Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed this in a post on X following a bilateral meeting with AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ahead of the 49th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council. Discussions focused on Nigeria’s role within the AU, the appointment of Nigerians into AU institutions, regional political developments, and Africa’s socio-economic future. Both sides reviewed the evolving security situation in West Africa and the Sahel, exchanging views on terrorism, humanitarian concerns, and the need for sustained regional cooperation. Youssouf commended Nigeria’s leadership within the AU and ECOWAS, particularly its contributions to regional peace, security, and integration. He emphasized greater investment in innovation, job creation, agriculture, the services sector, and AI to accelerate Africa’s development, noting that Africa has not invested sufficiently in AI. Youssouf cited the Dangote Group’s investments as an example of African-led industrialisation promoting regional integration, self-reliance, and employment opportunities.