Nigeria has renewed its call for permanent African representation on the United Nations Security Council, with President Bola Tinubu saying the current structure does not reflect the realities of the world. Tinubu’s statement was delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Nigeria called for at least 2 permanent seats for Africa, with the full rights and responsibilities of permanent membership, including veto power for as long as it exists. It also demanded 5 non-permanent seats for the continent, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
In the address, President Tinubu argued that reform of the United Nations should begin with the Security Council, saying the world of 2026 should not remain governed by a distribution of power established in 1945. He further said Africa should not continue to be affected by Security Council decisions while remaining absent from its permanent membership.
Beyond Security Council reform, the Nigerian President called for stronger international cooperation against terrorism, organised crime, cyberattacks and illicit finance. The country also pushed for diplomacy to address conflicts, greater access to development financing and debt reform.
Nigeria’s demand is part of a broader African position on reforming the Security Council. The UN currently has 5 permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — alongside 10 non-permanent members.
