Nigeria has called for Africa to be given at least two permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council, with full veto powers for as long as the privilege remains available to existing permanent members.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima made the demand while delivering President Bola Tinubu’s national statement at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Shettima also called for Africa to receive five non-permanent seats on the Security Council, in line with the continent’s longstanding position on reforming the global body.
He argued that the current structure of the Security Council no longer reflects today’s geopolitical realities and has weakened the credibility of global decision-making.
“The world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the distribution of power in 1945,” Shettima said.
According to him, Africa should no longer be excluded from permanent membership when issues affecting the continent continue to receive significant attention from the Security Council.
He said Nigeria’s position is consistent with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, which form the basis of the Common African Position on UN reform.
Under the African position, the continent is seeking at least two permanent seats with the same privileges enjoyed by existing permanent members, as well as five non-permanent seats.
The African Union reaffirmed the demand in May, describing Africa’s lack of permanent representation as a historical imbalance that needs to be addressed.
Shettima said institutions with global authority must adequately represent the people and regions affected by their decisions.
He also linked Security Council reform to the need to rebuild confidence in multilateralism amid growing divisions among nations.
The Vice-President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Charter, international cooperation and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
He said Nigeria supports an international system in which diplomacy takes priority over coercion and international law guides relations between states.
Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s contributions to peace operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali and The Gambia.
He added that Nigeria continues to work through the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and Gulf of Guinea mechanisms on mediation, counter-terrorism, democratic governance and maritime security.
According to him, continuing conflicts around the world, including the war in Sudan, require urgent diplomatic efforts because of their humanitarian, economic and geopolitical consequences.
Shettima also warned that propaganda and misinformation could make it harder to distinguish victims from aggressors and weaken accountability.
He maintained that an inclusive and effective United Nations remains essential to maintaining global peace and supporting sustainable development.
The UN Security Council currently has five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — all of which have veto powers. Africa has no permanent seat.
The African Union’s proposed reform framework seeks at least two permanent seats for Africa, with veto rights while the existing permanent members retain theirs, alongside five non-permanent seats.
Shettima said Nigeria would continue to support reforms aimed at creating a multilateral system capable of responding effectively to the realities of the 21st century.
He added that differences between nations should not overshadow their shared responsibility to protect peace and preserve a better future for coming generations.
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