Shettima Presents Tinubu’s Speech As Nigeria Demands Two Permanent UN Security Council Seats For Africa

President Bola Tinubu made the demand in his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Nigeria has demanded that Africa should be giving at least two permanent seats at the United Nations Security Council, with complete veto rights, insisting that the world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the power distribution of 1945.

President Bola Tinubu made the demand in his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Themed “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All,” President Tinubu said the reform of the global body must begin with the Security Council, warning that Africa cannot continue to be a subject of the Council’s agenda while being excluded from its permanent membership.Follow Federal Policy

“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,” Tinubu said.

He added, “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.Hire Grant Writers

“The authority to speak for humanity carries an obligation to represent it.”

Tinubu said Nigeria is ready to assume greater responsibility, citing its peacekeeping record in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali and The Gambia.

He said through ECOWAS, the African Union and Gulf of Guinea partnerships, Nigeria continues to advance mediation, democratic governance, counter-terrorism and maritime security.

On the Sahel, President Tinubu warned that insecurity in one territory imperils its neighbours, as the region continues to be convulsed by military coups and jihadist violence.

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are under military rule, while Nigeria battles Boko Haram and ISWAP. The violence has displaced millions and destabilised borders.Download Interactive Maps

“No nation, however formidable its defences, can secure itself completely against dangers sustained beyond its borders,” Tinubu said.

He further stated: “Nigeria’s prolonged struggle against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups has taught us that military victories require enduring foundations in education, economic opportunity, accountable governance and communities whose rights and dignity are protected.

Development cannot take root where violence repeatedly uproots livelihoods, and peace cannot endure where injustice and exclusion replenish the ranks of those who threaten it.”Follow Federal Policy

Tinubu said terrorism, organised crime and cyberattacks exploit gaps between national responses, drawing strength from divisions that weaken collective action.

“Our common security therefore demands cooperation equal to the reach of the threats before us,” he said.

“No country can claim lasting safety while the forces capable of destabilising it retain sanctuary, resources and recruits elsewhere.”

He called for intelligence sharing, stronger institutional capacity and preventing weapons from crossing borders. He said the turmoil in the Sahel shows how insecurity in one territory can imperil neighbours, displace populations and frustrate regional integration and democratic governance.Hire Grant Writers

Tinubu said Nigeria remains committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes under the UN Charter, and urged the UN to strengthen peacekeeping and give greater attention to peacebuilding, mediation, institution-building and sustainable development.

“We place our faith in diplomacy because military victories alone cannot secure lasting peace,” he said.

“Dialogue, reconciliation and inclusive political processes must give people a stake in ending violence and preserving the agreements that follow.”

He said Nigeria will choose cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over division, hope over fear and partnership over isolation.Download Interactive Maps

“Humanity is our oldest citizenship, and peace is the inheritance we owe every child,” Tinubu said.