By Samuel Olusegun Precious
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demanded a greater role for Africa in global governance, calling for urgent reform of the United Nations. President Tinubu made the call in his address to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
The President’s statement was delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima during the General Debate. Tinubu said the current global system is outdated and unfair to Africa.
“We can’t rule 2026 world with 1945 distribution of power”
He declared that the world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the power arrangement designed in 1945 when the UN was founded and Nigeria was still under colonial rule.
“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,” Tinubu said.
Africa’s Demand
President Tinubu demanded: At least two permanent seats for Africa on the UN Security Council with full rights, responsibilities and veto power for as long as the veto exists.
Five non-permanent seats for Africa
He said the demand is in line with Africa’s common position as contained in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. He noted that Africa has 1.4 billion people and Nigeria alone will be the world’s third most populous country by 2050, yet the continent has no permanent seat at the Council that decides on war and peace.The President reminded the UN that Nigeria has contributed troops to 51 of 60 UN peacekeeping operations since independence.
Call For Peace and Fair Finance
Tinubu also called for:
An end to ongoing wars and respect for the UN Charter; Reform of the global financial architecture to address debt, poverty and climate financing for developing nations; Greater trust in multilateralism over unilateralism and nationalism.
Vice President Shettima is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA, which has the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
