Africa’s quest for permanent representation at the United Nations Security Council, long championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is now under active consideration, raising hopes for long-overdue reform of the world’s most powerful decision-making body. Vice President Kashim Shettima, standing in for President Tinubu, will on Wednesday deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the 80th United …
UN Considers Nigeria’s Push for Africa’s Permanent Seat at Security Council
Africa’s quest for permanent representation at the United Nations Security Council, long championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is now under active consideration, raising hopes for long-overdue reform of the world’s most powerful decision-making body.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, standing in for President Tinubu, will on Wednesday deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. His address, scheduled between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. local time, is expected to reaffirm Nigeria’s push for two permanent African seats with veto powers, alongside calls for stronger multilateralism, UN reform, climate action, and restructuring of global financial systems.
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Tinubu has repeatedly argued that Africa, representing over 1.4 billion people and bearing the brunt of many Security Council decisions, deserves a fair voice at the top table. Last month at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), he stressed that the current Council framework, a legacy of the post-World War II order, is outdated and unjust.
On the sidelines of UNGA, Vice President Shettima engaged in strategic diplomacy. He met Namibian President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who pledged to pay an official visit to Nigeria, and held talks with Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman, thanking the Foundation for its support in healthcare, agriculture, and financial inclusion while urging greater investment in Nigeria.
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However, amending the UN Charter to expand permanent membership requires the approval of two-thirds of member states and the consent of all existing permanent members, making the path to reform highly complex. Debate also continues over which African states would occupy such seats and whether they would wield full veto powers.
Still, with President Tinubu’s persistent advocacy gaining unprecedented traction, Nigeria believes Africa’s case for permanent Security Council membership has entered a decisive phase.
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