Tinubu Demands Nigeria’s Seat At UN Security Council

President Bola Tinubu has called for sweeping reforms at the United Nations, warning that the global body risks losing relevance if it fails to adapt to today’s realities.

Speaking at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York through Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu criticised the UN’s slow response to global crises, citing conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere as “stains on our collective humanity.”

He said the UN’s credibility was undermined by the gap between its promises and actions, stressing that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the Security Council. “The United Nations will recover its relevance only when it reflects the world as it is, not as it was,” he stated.

Tinubu also urged reforms in global finance, proposing an international mechanism to manage sovereign debt and relieve developing nations from economic straitjackets. He argued that debt relief should be seen as a pathway to peace and prosperity rather than charity.

On Palestine, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for a two-state solution, insisting that Palestinians are entitled to the same dignity and freedoms as others.

The President further highlighted Africa’s abundance of critical minerals and called for fair investment, local processing, and job creation to prevent instability linked to raw material exports.

Addressing technology gaps, he urged efforts to close the digital divide, declaring that artificial intelligence must stand for “Africa Included.”

Tinubu acknowledged Nigeria’s economic reforms, including subsidy removal and currency changes, saying they were painful but necessary steps toward long-term growth. He also stressed that defeating terrorism requires winning the ideological battle, not just military victories.

He concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to peace, multilateralism, and human rights, warning that without urgent reforms, the UN risks becoming sidelined in global affairs.