Monday, 25 May 2026
Source: Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
Nigeria officially endorses Egypt’s Khaled El-Anany for UNESCO Director-General
Abuja, Nigeria - In a significant development for African cooperation on the global stage, Nigeria has officially declared its support for Egypt’s candidate, Dr. Khaled El-Anany, in the upcoming race to lead UNESCO as Director-General. The formal endorsement was made public by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yusuf Tuggar, during the high-level Egypt-Nigeria Business Forumheld in Abuja.
The event, attended by Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Dr. Badr Abdel-Aty, and Dr. Khaled El-Anany himself, gathered representatives from leading companies, chambers of commerce, and business communities from both nations.
In his opening remarks, Minister Tuggar expressed Nigeria’s wholehearted backing for Dr. El-Anany’s candidacy ahead of the UNESCO elections scheduled for October 2025. He emphasized the deep-rooted bonds between Egypt and Nigeria and called for continued efforts to strengthen their ties across all sectors, especially in economic, trade, and investment partnerships.
Dr. Abdel-Aty highlighted Egypt’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Nigeria, describing the forum as the ideal platform to foster new business opportunities for private sectors in both countries. Emphasizing the shared benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area, he pointed to Egypt and Nigeria’s vast potential for collaboration in agricultural, pharmaceutical, mining, and manufacturing industries.
The Egyptian minister also outlined his country’s efforts to improve the investment climate and infrastructure, showcasing opportunities available in major national projects and promising to provide all necessary support for Nigerian investors. Both sides agreed on the importance of removing any remaining barriers—affirming strong commitments to facilitate greater economic exchange for mutual benefit.
As Africa’s most populous countries, Egypt and Nigeria are working hand-in-hand to build a robust partnership, paving the way for greater unity and progress across the continent. The Nigerian endorsement of Dr. El-Anany marks an important milestone in these cooperative efforts, enhancing Africa’s collective voice in global institutions.