Tinubu demands two permanent seats, veto powers for Africa

President Bola Tinubu has demanded at least two permanent seats for Africa on the United Nations Security Council, with veto powers, saying the current structure no longer reflects the distribution of global power.

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 President’s address, delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima, also called for five non-permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council.

He said the reform of the global body must begin with restructuring the Security Council, arguing that Africa could not continue to contribute to the council’s agenda without having permanent representation.

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. Africa cannot continue to fill the Council’s agenda while remaining absent from its permanent membership. Nigeria demands, in accordance with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, at least two permanent seats for Africa, with all the rights and responsibilities of permanent membership, including the veto for as long as it exists, and five non-permanent seats in total. The authority to speak for humanity carries an obligation to represent it.

Tinubu said Nigeria was prepared to take on greater responsibility in international peace and security, citing the country’s contributions to peacekeeping and mediation efforts across Africa.

Negotiated settlements must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The President said Nigeria remained committed to peaceful dispute settlement under the UN Charter and urged the strengthening of peacekeeping, peacebuilding, mediation and institution-building.

We place our faith in diplomacy because military victories alone cannot secure lasting peace.

Tinubu further called for greater recognition of Africa’s contribution to global development, describing the continent as a potential major driver of global growth.

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.

The demand came against the backdrop of renewed calls for reform of the UN Security Council, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres saying Africa’s continued absence from permanent membership was “unjust and indefensible”.

Guterres, speaking as world leaders gathered in New York for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, said the council must be reformed to reflect the present-day global order.

He said, “We must reform the Council so that it reflects today’s world with the legitimacy and effectiveness that today’s challenges demand.”