President Bola Tinubu has called on the United Nations Security Council to grant Nigeria and other African nations permanent seats, emphasizing that this would enhance the council’s credibility and relevance. Speaking during the General Debate at the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, President Tinubu highlighted the need for the council to reflect global diversity by expanding both its permanent and non-permanent member categories.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu expressed concerns about the challenges undermining multilateralism, such as terrorism, climate change, and economic instability. He emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation among UN member states to address these global issues collectively, stressing that Africa deserves a permanent seat in the council with equal rights and responsibilities.
Tinubu also urged reforms in the international financial architecture and called for debt forgiveness for developing nations, including Nigeria. He reiterated the need for action on climate change and highlighted the devastating impact of recent flooding in Nigeria as an example of the global threat it poses.
Furthermore, the President warned of the dangers of rising nationalism and unconstitutional changes of government in Africa, calling for continued global efforts to support democracy, peace, and sustainable development across the continent. He emphasized the need for job creation, better healthcare, and education to address the underlying frustrations driving instability in African nations.
Tinubu also called for the recovery of illicit financial flows and the return of stolen assets, urging stronger international cooperation to eradicate safe havens for these funds. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism and pledged continued efforts to combat terrorism and insurgency, referencing Nigeria’s upcoming African Counter-Terrorism Meeting in 2024 as a key step in addressing these threats.
In closing, Tinubu underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing the root causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, and exclusion, and urged the UN to continue its efforts in promoting peace and sustainable development globally.
