Nigeria Must Present Amina J. Mohammed for UN Secretary-General – Dankani

 MATTERS ARISING 6060

Nigeria Must Present Amina J. Mohammed for UN Secretary-General – Dankani

By Matters Arising Desk

18th July, 2026

ABUJA— As the United Nations begins preparations to elect a successor to Secretary-General António Guterres whose tenure ends in January 2027, prominent public affairs advocate Aisha I. Dankani has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally present Deputy UN Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed as Nigeria’s candidate.

In her column “Overlooked by the President” published in LEADERSHIP on July 5, 2026 and reproduced on the Phoenix app, Dankani said the world is entering “one of the most turbulent periods in modern history” marked by wars, climate change, poverty, migration and declining trust among nations. She argued that such times demand a leader of “uncommon experience, diplomacy, integrity and vision.”

“Why has Nigeria not formally presented one of its most distinguished daughters, Amina J. Mohammed, for the highest office in global diplomacy?” Dankani asked, describing the question as one that deserves “thoughtful national debate.”

Credentials Cited

Dankani noted that Mohammed, who has served as UN Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group since 2017, was a key architect of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals during her time as Special Adviser to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Before the UN, Mohammed served Nigeria under Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari, including as Minister of Environment. She also chaired the 2019 transition committee for Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

“Few individuals possess such an intimate understanding of the workings of the United Nations,” Dankani stated.

Symbol of Hope for Northern Women

Beyond her resume, Dankani said Mohammed represents something bigger for Nigeria. A proud daughter of Gombe State, she has remained “deeply rooted in her Islamic faith and northern identity” while becoming a global voice on climate justice, education and women’s inclusion.

“To millions of young girls across Arewa, especially within the core Muslim North, she represents hope. She is living proof that education, character, faith and excellence can carry one from northern Nigeria to the highest councils of the international community,” Dankani wrote.

She added that Mohammed has become “the poster figure for educated Muslim women in northern Nigeria.”

Call to President Tinubu

Dankani acknowledged that a Nigerian nomination does not guarantee election, as the UN Secretary-General is selected by the Security Council and confirmed by the General Assembly. 

However, she said a formal endorsement by Nigeria “would send a powerful message” about merit and Nigeria’s readiness for global leadership. It would also “present Africa with a candidate whose credentials command respect across continents.”

“This is not about North versus South, it is not about party politics; it is not even primarily about President Tinubu, it is about Nigeria presenting its best to the world,” she said.

Concluding with the words, “If the scarf fits, Nigeria should proudly present it to the world,” Dankani declared: “Amina Mohammed is not merely Nigeria's preferred candidate, she is Africa's choice for the next United Nations Secretary-General.”

Aisha I. Dankani, MFR, mni is President and Convener of Kano LEADS (#DaRUWANA), retired Director of the Federal Civil Service, former Chief Magistrate, and public affairs advocate from Kano State.