President Buhari leaves Nigeria for the 26th Commonwealth meeting in Kigali, Rwanda

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, will leave Abuja for Kigali, Rwanda on Wednesday 22 June to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be held 20-26 June 2022.

At CHOGM 2022, the President will join other leaders in discussions directed toward the progress and prosperity of the more than 2 billion people who live in 54 independent countries across Africa, Asia, America, Europe and the Pacific , which form the Commonwealth .

The theme for CHOGM 2022 is “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming” and leaders are expected to reaffirm their commitment to upholding the Commonwealth Charter, which focuses on democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as economic opportunity and sustainable development.

According to a statement by his spokeswoman Femi Adesina, Buhari will attend the official opening ceremony on June 24, followed by high-level meetings of leaders on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 June.

The statement said: "Leaders are expected to consider a range of topical issues, including the post-COVID-19 economic recovery, debt sustainability, climate change, poverty alleviation, entrepreneurship and youth employment, trade and food security.

“Previously, the Nigerian delegation, made up of public, private and youth organisations, participated in four forums dealing with youth, women, business and civil society; and will attend ministerial meetings and several side events.

“In the margins of the meeting, the Nigerian leader will make remarks at the high-level session of the Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Summit and participate in an intergenerational dialogue for youth.

“President Buhari is also expected to hold bilateral talks with some leaders from Commonwealth countries.

"Ahead of the biennial meeting, scheduled for June 2020 but twice postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Buhari stressed in an article published in The Telegraph, London, that the Commonwealth is becoming a truly global one can power with improved cooperation on trade and security, mutual weight in international bodies.

“The President is accompanied by Secretary of State Geoffrey Onyeama; the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Health Minister Osagie Ehanire; Environment Minister Mohammed Abdullahi and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Ali Pantami. The President is set to return to the country on Sunday, June 26, 2022.”