Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Nigeria has formally endorsed AU candidate and Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr Khaled El-Enany, as the next UNESCO Secretary General. The endorsement was announced by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, on the sidelines of the Nigeria-Egypt Business Forum held in Abuja. This was contained in a statement signed by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Tuggar described Mr El-Enany as a distinguished figure with a strong record in cultural diplomacy, heritage preservation, and international cooperation, aligning with Nigeria’s vision for global representation that reflects experience, credibility, and shared values among nations of the Global South.
“Nigeria is proud to support Mr Khaled El-Enany,” Minister Tuggar stated. “His work in Egypt speaks volumes, particularly his leadership in the preservation of African antiquities and the promotion of tourism as a bridge between civilizations. We believe he is well suited to serve the international community in a broader capacity.”
The Nigeria-Egypt Business Forum, which brought together government officials, business leaders, and policymakers from both countries, served as a platform to strengthen bilateral cooperation and explore new areas of investment. It also provided an opportunity to reinforce cultural ties and shared aspirations between the two African nations.
Mr El-Enany, a respected Egyptologist and public intellectual, previously served as Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities from 2016 to 2022, where he led several major restoration projects and elevated Egypt’s global standing in cultural diplomacy.
His candidacy is seen by observers as part of a broader effort to promote African voices in international institutions and to build consensus around experienced leadership in global cultural governance.
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