Anatole Collinet Makosso, Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo, visited the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to seek Nigeria’s support for its Diplomat, Firmin Edouard Matoko, for the office of Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The Congolese PM was received by Vice President, Kashim Shettima.
Makosso’s visit to Nigeria was made known via a State House Press Release signed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications(Office of The Vice President), on Saturday 2 August, 2025.
Shettima assured Makosso to convey Congo’s message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The State House Press Release reads: “Vice President Kashim Shettima @officialSKSM has affirmed Nigeria’s @NigeriaGov commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties with the Republic of Congo, acknowledging the leadership of President Denis Sassou-Nguesso @SassouNGuesso_ in promoting regional peace and stability, especially across Africa’s Great Lakes region.
“He also said that Nigeria will consider Congo’s request for support in its bid to lead the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
“Speaking on Friday while receiving the Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo, Anatole Collinet Makosso @MakossoAnatole, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, VP Shettima lauded the leadership of the Congolese President and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
““President Denis Sassou-Nguesso is one of the greatest stabilisers on the African continent. He is well-respected and has the experience and exposure to provide leadership to a turbulent region. Your country is a beacon of hope and stability in the region,” he said.
“Senator Shettima, who received the Congolese delegation on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT, said the issues raised by the visiting Prime Minister, particularly the request for Nigeria’s endorsement of Firmin Edouard Matoko for the post of UNESCO Director-General, would be conveyed to the President.
““Be rest assured that all the issues raised, especially over your candidature for the Director-Generalship of UNESCO, will be conveyed to the President. And I am hopeful that he is going to endorse your candidacy, fundamentally because what binds us together supersedes whatever divides us. Wherever we go, we are essentially one people,” he said.
“Earlier, the Congolese Prime Minister @MakossoAnatole, who delivered a special message from President Sassou-Nguesso to President Tinubu, called for deepened relations between both countries and sought Nigeria’s support for Matoko, a long-serving UNESCO official with over three decades of experience.
““We have a candidate for the post of Director-General of UNESCO, Firmin Edouard Matoko, a seasoned diplomat and former senior official of the organisation with over three decades of experience,” Makosso said.
“The Prime Minister also thanked the Nigerian government and people for their humanitarian support to Congolese children who benefited from the Rochas Foundation @Rochas_fdn, noting that some of the children, many of whom were orphans, have graduated, while others remain in school.
“”We also want to thank the good people of Nigeria for taking care of some young children from Congo, some of them orphans who were offered free education by the Rochas Foundation. Some of them just graduated, while some are still in school. We are very grateful for that,” Makosso said.
“He commended President Tinubu’s leadership at ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, just as he expressed sympathy with Nigerians over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari @MBuhari. “
