(Commonwealth)_ The 2025 Nigerian edition of the Commonwealth High Commissioners’ Banquet event was marked in splendor at Abuja Continental Hotel in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Tuesday, 24 June 2025. Organized by the Royal Commonwealth Society Nigeria Branch, the event was a lavish stage of reunion, cultural heritage, and economic prosperity of the Commonwealth countries under the heading “Our Commonwealth, Our Heritage, and Our Prosperity.”.
The event attracted a distinguished group of Nigerian public representatives, ambassadors from Commonwealth countries, international officials, entrepreneurs, and top-level officials from various ministries, departments, and agencies. The composition of the attendees as a cross-section of people accounted for Nigeria’s strong position among the world Commonwealth family and commitment towards creating international understanding and socio-economic advancement.
Standing out among the special guests was His Excellency Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who occupied the Special Guest of Honour position. Her Excellency Ambassador Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq, First Lady of Kwara State and Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, was also in attendance and bestowed the title of Mother of the Day and Guest of Honour. Her presence provided the event with glamour, but once again emphasizing women’s leadership role in the Commonwealth setting.
The Canadian, Australian, and Sierra Leone High Commissions from America, the Pacific, and African states, respectively, bore goodwill messages, emphasizing the multicultural and pluralistic character of the Commonwealth. The contribution highlighted the spirit of cooperation and fellowship among member states.
The keynote address was given by the Kwara State First Lady, where she addressed the topic of prosperity, heritage, and unity that constitute the basis of the future objective of the Commonwealth. A special address was read by the representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in an attempt to emphasize the federal government’s adherence to the values being canvassed by the Royal Commonwealth Society and related programs in Nigeria.
This internationalism was also invoked by the telecast of video goodwill messages from some prominent Commonwealth figures. They were Ambassador Dr. Chris Nonis, former Chair, Board of Governors, Commonwealth Secretariat, and Deputy Chair, Royal Commonwealth Society; Rosie Glazebrook, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, London; and Professor Matthew Neuhaus, Canberra Branch President, Royal Commonwealth Society, Australia. Their words invoked Commonwealth states’ sense of direction and calls to multilateralism in today’s world.
The event also saw the presence of some heads and chief executives of key Nigerian federal organizations. They included the Director General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria; Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority; Executive Director, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council; Secretary, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission; and Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council. They all made brief speeches, keeping the common themes of development, business, and cross-border exchange in mind at the banquet.
Apart from the official ceremonies, the banquet provided a cultural exchange and celebration experience. The program also offered motivational speeches, effective networking, and firsthand cultural activities that depicted the richness of Nigerian culture. The participants were exposed to performance presentations from music, drama, and dance to the shared rich cultural heritage of Commonwealth nations.
Diet options were responsible for the other factor of success in the evening, as the guests were treated to a range of good foreign as well as local foods, in addition to enhancing the multicultural nature of the event.
The Nigeria 2025 Commonwealth Banquet of High Commissioners culminated in its glory by harmoniously integrating diplomacy, culture, business, and government into one unified, cohesive, and celebratory package. The banquet cemented Commonwealth countries’ bond and made it indicative of Nigeria’s focal positioning towards bringing prosperity to mutual parties as well as cultural exchange throughout the world community.
