Nigeria Demands Two Permanent UN Seats, Veto Powers for Africa

Nigeria has renewed its call for Africa to receive at least two permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council, with the same veto powers enjoyed by existing permanent members.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima made the demand while delivering President Bola Tinubu’s national statement at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.

Nigeria also called for Africa to have five non-permanent seats on the Council, in line with the continent’s established position on reforming the body.

Shettima said the current composition of the Security Council no longer reflected present-day global political realities, arguing that the structure was based largely on the distribution of power that existed at the end of the Second World War.

He said Africa should not continue to lack permanent representation on a body that regularly considers matters affecting the continent.

According to him, Nigeria’s position is based on the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, which form the basis of the Common African Position on Security Council reform.

Under the proposed arrangement, Africa would receive at least two permanent seats with all the privileges attached to permanent membership, including veto powers for as long as the existing permanent members retain theirs. The continent would also receive five non-permanent seats.

The Vice-President said the reform was necessary to strengthen confidence in multilateral institutions and make global decision-making more representative.

Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Charter, diplomacy and international cooperation, saying disputes should be addressed through dialogue and international law.

He also cited Nigeria’s participation in peace and security operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali and The Gambia as part of the country’s contribution to regional and international stability.

The Vice-President said Nigeria would continue working through organisations including ECOWAS and the African Union on issues such as mediation, counter-terrorism, democratic governance and maritime security.

He also called for stronger diplomatic efforts to address conflicts, including the war in Sudan, and warned against using propaganda to distort accountability in international conflicts.

The UN Security Council currently has five permanent members, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, all of which have veto power. Africa has no permanent seat on the Council.