Abuja: Nigeria has been re-elected into Part 2 of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a specialised global agency responsible for overseeing safe, secure, and sustainable air travel. The re-election took place during the ongoing 42nd Assembly of ICAO in Montreal, Canada.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Ben Tukur was re-elected into the Council at the assembly. A statement regarding Tukur's re-election was made available to newsmen in Abuja by Mr Tunde Moshood, who serves as the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyano.
The statement detailed that Tukur emerged victorious after a competitive election involving 11 other African nations. Tukur, who has been Nigeria's representative at ICAO, will continue to occupy Nigeria's seat on the Council, further strengthening the nation's role in global aviation governance. He was re-elected with 163 votes out of 185 eligible member states, a testament to the strong international confidence in Nigeria's leadership and contributions to the aviation sector.
Moshood noted that Nigeria will join 11 other countries re-elected into Part 2 of the ICAO Council, including Egypt and South Africa from the African bloc. He emphasised that the election outcome reflected the resilience of Nigeria's aviation diplomacy and the strength of its global alliances within the ICAO family.
Following the announcement of the results, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, described the victory as a significant moment for both Nigeria and Africa. He stated that the re-election reaffirmed the country's commitment to the growth of international civil aviation and the promotion of safety, security, and sustainability in the sector.
Mr Keyamo further highlighted that Nigeria's continued presence on the ICAO Council ensures the nation remains actively involved in shaping policies and standards that guide global aviation. The continuous presence of Nigeria on the ICAO Council will also promote Africa's interests within the international aviation community.
The ICAO Council is the governing body of the global organisation, composed of 36 Member States elected by the ICAO Assembly for a three-year term. The Council is divided into three parts for election purposes, ensuring geographical and functional representation. The Part 2 category, which Nigeria was re-elected into, includes countries that make significant contributions to the provision of facilities for international civil air navigation.