Stocktaking after one year of my appointment as Chief Trade Negotiator/Acting DG NOTN, on @ARISEtv Xchange today. During my interview I made a strong point for Nigeria to occupy senior roles within the #AfCFTA Secretariat.

Particularly because Ghana has the Secretariat, South Africa has the SG, there's no Nigerian among the Directors that have been appointed so far in the Secretariat.

On this note I further made it clear that a Nigerian must occupy the proposed position of the Deputy SG of the AfCFTA Secretariat; this is only fair and equitable. This I would insist and we as a country must insist to occupy the DSG position.

The position has been zoned to ECOWAS and according to AU gender balance policy, a woman must occupy the position of the DSG.

During my appearance on the Arise Xchange I also made it clear that Nigeria cannot be denied any position within the #AfCFTA Secretariat, on the grounds that we have not ratified the agreement.

This argument would be illogical to make as well as counterproductive. Nigeria is among the Tier 1 countries in terms of financial contributions to the African Union yearly budget. Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Angola and most recently Morocco...

...contributes more than half of the yearly AU budget. The AfCFTA Secretariat is also funded from the AU budget.
Therefore, Nigeria is more than qualified to seek for the highest position and any other position within the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Further to my point above I made it clear that the current ECOWAS Commission President is from Cote D'ivoire, the AfCFTA Secretary General is from South Africa, Ghana has the Secretariat, therefore fairness, equity and good logic supports the rationale for a Nigerian...

...to occupy the position of the Deputy Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat. This is only fair, equitable and logical.