President Bola Tinubu has called for at least two permanent seats for Africa on the United Nations Security Council, with veto powers, as part of a wider reform of the global body.
Mr Tinubu made the demand on Thursday in his address to the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The address was delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Nigeria also called for five non-permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council, in line with the continent’s longstanding position on reform of the UN body.
Nigeria demands permanent representation
Mr Tinubu said the present composition of the Security Council no longer reflected the distribution of global power, arguing that Africa should have a permanent voice in decisions affecting international peace and security.
“The reform of this institution must begin with the reconstitution of the Security Council, for the world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the distribution of power in 1945,” he said.
“Africa cannot continue to fill the Council’s agenda while remaining absent from its permanent membership.”
The President said Nigeria was demanding at least two permanent seats for Africa, with the rights and responsibilities attached to permanent membership, including veto powers for as long as the veto remains part of the Council’s structure.
He also called for five non-permanent seats for the continent.
Nigeria cites peacekeeping role
Mr Tinubu said Nigeria was prepared to take on greater responsibility in maintaining international peace and security, citing the country’s contributions to peacekeeping and mediation efforts across Africa.
He listed Nigeria’s involvement in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali and The Gambia, as well as its continued participation in mediation, democratic governance, counter-terrorism and maritime security initiatives through ECOWAS, the African Union and Gulf of Guinea partnerships.
He said Africa’s contribution to international peace and security should be reflected in the continent’s representation within the UN’s highest security organ.
Africa’s common position
Nigeria’s demand is consistent with the African Union’s Common African Position on Security Council reform, expressed through the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
The position seeks at least two permanent African seats and five non-permanent seats. It also provides that African permanent members should receive veto powers if the veto is retained following any reform of the Council.
The UN Security Council currently has 15 members, including five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — all of which have veto powers.
Guterres supports reform
The call comes amid renewed international debate over reform of the Security Council.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has also argued that Africa’s absence from permanent membership is no longer defensible and that the Council should reflect present-day geopolitical realities.
“The world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the distribution of power in 1945,” Mr Tinubu said, echoing the argument that the structure established after the Second World War does not adequately represent today’s international system.
Mr Tinubu also highlighted Nigeria’s experience in confronting Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups.
He said military victories alone could not guarantee lasting peace without addressing education, economic opportunity, governance and the protection of communities.
“Nigeria’s prolonged struggle against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups has taught us that military victories require enduring foundations in education, economic opportunity, accountable governance and communities whose rights and dignity are protected,” he said.
The President called for greater international cooperation against terrorism, organised crime, cyberattacks and illicit financial activities.
Tinubu calls for diplomacy
On conflicts in Sudan and other parts of the world, Mr Tinubu called for urgent diplomatic efforts and protection of civilians.
He urged parties to conflicts to respect international humanitarian and human rights law, protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access.
“Negotiated settlements must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
Mr Tinubu added that Nigeria remained committed to peaceful dispute settlement under the UN Charter and supported stronger peacekeeping, peacebuilding, mediation and institution-building.
“We place our faith in diplomacy because military victories alone cannot secure lasting peace,” he said.
Climate change and development
The President also used his address to call for a balance between economic development and climate action.
He said developing countries needed support to industrialise, reduce poverty and expand energy access while pursuing lower-carbon development pathways.
“Africa contributes less than four per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, yet bears disproportionate consequences,” he said.
Mr Tinubu said Nigeria remained committed to the Paris Agreement and an energy transition that takes into account historical responsibility, national circumstances and the right to development.
He said Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan targets net-zero emissions by 2060 while expanding access to affordable and reliable energy.
Nigeria calls for financial reform
Mr Tinubu also called for reforms to the international financial system, saying inadequate financing remained a major obstacle to sustainable development.
“Nigeria therefore calls for reform of the international financial architecture, wider access to concessional financing and debt sustainability frameworks that recognise developmental needs,” he said.
He also supported private capital, blended finance, South-South cooperation and strategic partnerships to support sustainable development and resilient infrastructure.
AfCFTA and African development
The President highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area as an opportunity to strengthen regional value chains, increase intra-African trade and promote industrialisation.
He called for Africa to move beyond exporting raw materials by increasing value addition, manufacturing, technological innovation and knowledge-based production.
“Our abundant natural resources must become engines of shared prosperity rather than sources of perpetual dependency,” he said.
Nigeria’s position at the UN
Mr Tinubu said Nigeria would continue to support cooperation, dialogue and partnership among nations.
“Nigeria pledges to choose cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over division, hope over fear and partnership over isolation,” he said.
He concluded by calling for a reformed and more inclusive United Nations capable of addressing contemporary global challenges.
“A reformed, inclusive and effective United Nations is indispensable to the peaceful, just and sustainable world that future generations deserve,” Mr Tinubu said.
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