Nigeria demands two permanent UN seats, veto powers for Africa

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President Bola Tinubu

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Nigeria has demanded at least two permanent seats for Africa on the UN Security Council, with veto powers for as long as the privilege exists.

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Vice-President Kashim Shettima made the demand while delivering President Bola Tinubu’s national statement at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.

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He also demanded five non-permanent seats for Africa, in line with the continent’s longstanding common position on reforming the Security Council.

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Shettima said the Council’s present configuration no longer reflected contemporary geopolitical realities and weakened the legitimacy of global decision-making.

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“The world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the distribution of power in 1945,” he said.

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He said Africa could no longer remain outside permanent membership while issues concerning the continent continued to occupy substantial attention of the Council.

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According to him, Nigeria’s position is consistent with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, adopted as the Common African Position.

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Under the position, Africa seeks at least two permanent seats with all existing privileges, alongside five non-permanent seats on the Council.

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The African Union reaffirmed the demand in May, saying Africa’s exclusion from permanent representation constituted a historical imbalance requiring correction.

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Shettima argued that institutions claiming authority to act for humanity must adequately reflect the people on whose behalf decisions are taken.

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He linked Security Council reform to efforts to restore confidence in multilateralism amid widening geopolitical divisions.

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The Vice-President also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Charter and international cooperation.

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He said Nigeria supported an international system where diplomacy takes precedence over coercion and international law guides relations among states.

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Shettima recalled Nigeria’s contributions to international and regional peace operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali and The Gambia.

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He said Nigeria also continues to work through ECOWAS, the African Union and Gulf of Guinea mechanisms.

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According to him, these efforts cover mediation, counter-terrorism, democratic governance and maritime security.

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Shettima said persistent conflicts across different regions underscored the need to return to dialogue, collective responsibility and peaceful settlement of disputes.

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He identified the conflict in Sudan and other theatres as requiring urgent diplomacy because of their humanitarian, economic and geopolitical consequences.

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The Vice-President also warned against a global environment where propaganda blurred distinctions between victims and aggressors and complicated accountability.

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He maintained that an inclusive and effective UN remained indispensable to global peace and sustainable development.

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Nigeria’s demand comes amid renewed calls by African leaders for reforms to an institution whose permanent membership remains unchanged since its creation.

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The Security Council has five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the UK and the US, each possessing veto power.

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Africa currently has no permanent representative on the Council.

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The African Union’s preferred reform model provides for at least two permanent African seats, including veto privileges while existing members retain them.

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The reform model also seeks five non-permanent seats for Africa.

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Shettima said Nigeria remained committed to a multilateral order capable of responding more credibly to 21st-century realities.

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According to him, differences among nations must not obscure their common humanity or responsibility to preserve peace for future generations. (NAN)

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