Akpabio Champions Nigeria's Role at IPU Assembly in 2026

On 9 October 2026, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria’s President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, participated in the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly held in Arusha, Tanzania. During this assembly, he supported Milton Dick, Speaker of Australia’s House of Representatives, who was elected as the IPU's 32nd President with 56 percent of the votes in a three-candidate contest.

Dick succeeded Dr Tulia Ackson of Tanzania, whose tenure ended with this assembly. Akpabio's involvement highlights Nigeria's diplomatic engagement, as he assured Dick of Nigeria's backing prior to the election and pledged to advocate for his candidacy within the African Group of the IPU.

This initiative also aimed to strengthen Nigeria-Australia cooperation in various sectors, including mining, agriculture, and renewable energy. The election's outcome was determined by a secret ballot, and while Nigeria's contribution cannot be precisely quantified, Akpabio's actions reflect Nigeria's commitment to active participation in global parliamentary diplomacy.