As the international community begins the search for a successor to António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, whose tenure as the Secretary-General of the United Nations ends in January 2027, attention is increasingly turning to candidates capable of leading the world through one of the most turbulent periods in modern history.
The conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, climate change, widening poverty, humanitarian emergencies, migration, technological disruption and growing distrust among nations demand a leader of uncommon experience, diplomacy, integrity and vision.
Against this backdrop, the recent article: Overlooked by the President, published by LEADERSHIP newspapers on July 5, 2026 and reproduced on the Phoenix app, raises an important question that deserves thoughtful national debate: Why has Nigeria not formally presented one of its most distinguished daughters, Amina J. Mohammed, for the highest office in global diplomacy?
It is a legitimate question. For if the world seeks competence, experience and credibility, few candidates can rival Amina Mohammed.
Her credentials are exceptional. Before becoming Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations in 2017, she had already established herself as one of the foremost architects of the global development agenda. As special adviser to former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, she led the process that culminated in the adoption of the historic 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the blueprint that continues to guide international efforts to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and promote prosperity for all.
Today, as Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, she coordinates the UN development system across the globe, helping shape responses to climate change, humanitarian crises, sustainable development and international cooperation. Few individuals possess such an intimate understanding of the workings of the United Nations.
Yet, before the world came to know Amina Mohammed, Nigeria already did. She served with distinction under successive administrations, beginning with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, where she played an important role in managing the implementation of debt-relief gains for poverty reduction and development. She later served former President Muhammadu Buhari as minister of environment, where she strengthened Nigeria’s engagement on climate policy and sustainable environmental management. Her career is remarkable for transcending partisan politics while remaining firmly anchored in national service.
International recognition naturally followed. Her work attracted the admiration of leading development partners, including Bill Gates and earned her widespread respect across the global development community.
But perhaps her greatest achievement lies beyond offices and titles. Amina Mohammed has become one of the strongest symbols of what the modern northern Nigerian woman can aspire to become.
A proud daughter of Gombe State, she has remained deeply rooted in her Islamic faith and northern identity while emerging as one of the world’s foremost advocates of sustainable development, climate justice, education, women’s inclusion and human dignity.
She has demonstrated that faith and progress are not mutually exclusive. She has shown that one can remain proudly Muslim, proudly northern and proudly Nigerian while providing leadership at the highest levels of international diplomacy.
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.
She has become, in many respects, the poster figure for educated Muslim women in northern Nigeria.
Even while serving humanity globally, she has never forgotten home. Following the election of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State (APC) in 2019, Amina Mohammed accepted the responsibility of chairing the transition committee that prepared the incoming administration for its exceptional service to Gombe in the past seven years. Serving alongside distinguished Nigerians of Gombe extraction, including Dr Sadiq Umar Abubakar, who was deputy chairman, she once again demonstrated that international responsibility does not diminish commitment to one’s community. This combination of global excellence and local commitment is rare. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, therefore, has before him a rare opportunity.
However, a Nigerian nomination would not guarantee Amina Mohammed’s election. The selection of a United Nations Secretary-General is ultimately determined through consultations among member states, with the decisive role played by the United Nations Security Council before confirmation by the General Assembly. Nevertheless, Nigeria’s nomination and formal endorsement, which we expect soon, would send a powerful message. It would proclaim that Nigeria believes in merit. It would demonstrate confidence in one of its finest public servants. It would affirm Nigeria’s readiness to compete for leadership at the highest level of international diplomacy. And it would present Africa with a candidate whose credentials command respect across continents.
Such a decision would also resonate positively within northern Nigeria. Many in Arewa increasingly seek reassurance that competence and excellence from the region continue to receive national recognition. Supporting Amina Mohammed would not be an act of regional favouritism, it would simply acknowledge that one of Nigeria’s most accomplished daughters happens to come from the North.
Indeed, 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. Great nations proudly advance their finest citizens; Nigeria should not be any different.
History may yet decide who succeeds António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres. That decision ultimately belongs to the international community.
But history will also record whether Nigeria recognised excellence when it stood before us.
There is an old saying: If the cap fits, wear it. For Amina Mohammed, perhaps a more fitting expression is: If the scarf fits, Nigeria should proudly present it to the world. She has worn that scarf with dignity, distinction and honour—from Nigeria to New York, from Gombe to the global stage.
She has served humanity with uncommon devotion. She has honoured her country without seeking acclaim. She has inspired generations of young Africans, particularly girls from northern Nigeria, to dream beyond circumstance. Nigeria should now do its part.
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), K’asar Kano’s foremost NGO. She is a retired Director of the Federal Civil Service, a former Chief Magistrate, and an active politician and public affairs advocate from Kano State, Nigeria.
Dankani, MFR, mni, a lawyer, is the president/convener, Kano LEADS (#DaRUWANA)
First published by The PYRAMID newspaper online.
News Credit to our media partner DailyTrust Home .
