Commonwealth Secretariat
  1. Home
  2. What's New
  3. Who We Are
  4. What We Do
    1. Democracy
    2. Economics
    3. Education
    4. Gender
    5. Governance
    6. Health
    7. Human Rights
    8. Law
    9. Small States
    10. Sport
    11. Sustainability
    12. Youth
    13. Millennium Development Goals
    14. Funding
  5. News
    1. Events
    2. News Archive Search
    3. Picture Stories
  6. Media Room
    1. Press Archive Search
    2. Media Contacts
    3. Video
    4. Events
    5. In the Media
    6. Updates
    7. Downloads
  7. Resources
    1. Documents
    2. Image Library
    3. Libary & Archives
    4. Publications
  8. Publications
  9. Employment
  10. FAQs
    1. Acronyms
  11. Contact Us
Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Nigeria Resumes Full Commonwealth Membership

18 May 1999

Commonwealth Heads of Government have agreed to lift Nigeria's suspension from the Commonwealth, Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku announced today.

This decision follows a recommendation by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG), which met in London on 29 April 1999 on the completion of Nigeria's transition to democracy, with the Presidential and National Assembly Elections held in February 1999. CMAG's task was to reach an overall assessment of Nigeria's progress in its transition programme, which was begun by Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar in July 1998. The decision by Commonwealth leaders will take effect on 29 May 1999, the day of the inauguration of the newly elected civilian government led by President-elect Olusegun Obasanjo.

Chief Anyaoku said:

Commonwealth Heads of Government have unanimously endorsed CMAG's recommendation that Nigeria's suspension should be lifted. I am delighted that an unfortunate episode in Nigeria-Commonwealth relations will now come to an end and that Nigeria is resuming its rightful place in the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth rejoices with the Nigerian people as they enter this new era. This fresh start is a victory for democracy, a victory for Nigeria - and a victory for a fundamental principle of the Commonwealth.

I salute General Abubakar for the determination and deep commitment he has demonstrated in implementing the transition programme he announced in July last year. History will remember him as a true patriot and statesman.

As President-elect Obasanjo prepares to take over the reins of power, I wish to assure him that the good wishes of the entire Commonwealth are with him. We in the Commonwealth remain ready to assist Nigeria in consolidating its democracy, just as we have done over the last nine months.

At the invitation of the Nigerian Government, Chief Anyaoku will attend the inauguration ceremony of the new President in Abuja on 29 May.

Note to Editors:
Nigeria's membership of the Commonwealth was suspended by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their meeting in Auckland in November 1995 for serious violations of the principles set out in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration. On becoming Head of State following the death of General Sani Abacha in June 1999, General Abubakar announced a new programme of transition to democracy and took significant steps to improve the situation relating to human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria. The Commonwealth observed the multi-stage electoral process in Nigeria and also extended various forms of technical assistance to the Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria.


Issued by the Information and Public Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat,
Marlborough House,
Pall Mall,
London SW1Y 5HX,
United Kingdom.
Tel: 0207-839 3411;
Fax: 0207-839 9081;
Telex: 27678


99/33 18 May, 1999

Share this page
About this

ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int