Tinubu Calls for UN Security Council Reform, Greater African Representation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council, including the allocation of permanent seats to Africa, saying the current structure does not reflect the realities of the world in 2026.
The President made the call in his address to the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON.
Speaking on the theme, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All,” Tinubu urged member states to strengthen dialogue, mutual respect and collective responsibility in addressing global conflicts and other emerging challenges.
He congratulated the President of the 81st UN General Assembly on his election and commended UN Secretary-General António Guterres for his leadership of the organisation.
The President said Nigeria remained committed to the principles of the UN Charter and to a global order where diplomacy prevails over coercion, cooperation over isolation and international law over the arbitrary exercise of power.
Nigeria Demands Permanent Seats for Africa
Tinubu said reform of the UN must begin with the restructuring of the Security Council, arguing that Africa should no longer remain without permanent representation.
He said Nigeria supported the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, which call for at least two permanent seats for Africa with the same rights and responsibilities as other permanent members, including the veto for as long as it exists, as well as five non-permanent seats.
“Africa cannot continue to fill the Council’s agenda while remaining absent from its permanent membership,” the President said.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s contributions to international peace and security, citing its involvement in peace efforts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali and The Gambia, as well as its role through ECOWAS, the African Union and Gulf of Guinea partnerships.
Tinubu Links Development to Global Security
The President said Nigeria’s foreign policy was closely linked to its economic reform agenda, including macroeconomic management, stronger institutions, private-sector development and strategic public investment.
He stressed that development gains would remain vulnerable without peace and security, noting that conflicts in one part of the world could have consequences far beyond national borders.
On climate change, Tinubu rejected what he described as a false choice between development and climate action, arguing that developing countries must be allowed to industrialise, reduce poverty and expand energy access through low-carbon pathways.
He noted that Africa contributes less than four per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions but faces disproportionate consequences from climate change.
According to the President, Nigeria remains committed to the Paris Agreement and to an equitable energy transition that takes into account historical responsibility and the differing capacities of nations.
He said Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan targets net-zero emissions by 2060 while expanding access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy through renewable energy, clean cooking, gas as a transitional fuel, climate-smart agriculture and nature-based solutions.
President Calls for Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence
Tinubu also called for greater international cooperation in harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) for development.
He said technological advancement should not be surrendered to fear, stressing that the impact of technology depends largely on how it is deployed.
“We can deploy artificial intelligence to wage war or use it to transform healthcare, education, agriculture, governance and economic productivity,” he said.
The President said Nigeria was investing in digital public infrastructure, broadband connectivity, innovation ecosystems, research institutions and technology entrepreneurship.
He invited international partners to work with Nigerian young people to use AI and other emerging technologies to advance human development.
Nigeria Seeks Reform of Global Financial System
Tinubu identified inadequate development financing and high debt-servicing costs as major challenges confronting developing countries.
He called for reforms to the international financial architecture, greater access to concessional financing and debt sustainability frameworks that take developmental needs into account.
He also advocated innovative financing through private capital, blended finance, South-South cooperation and strategic partnerships to support sustainable development, climate adaptation and resilient infrastructure.
The President further highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area as a major opportunity to strengthen regional value chains, increase intra-African trade, promote industrialisation and attract investment.
He urged African countries to move beyond dependence on raw-material exports towards value addition, manufacturing, technological innovation and knowledge-driven growth.
Tinubu Urges Stronger Cooperation Against Terrorism
On security, the President said terrorism, organised crime, cyberattacks and illicit financial flows increasingly exploit gaps between national responses.
He said Nigeria’s experience in combating Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups had demonstrated that military successes must be supported by education, economic opportunities, accountable governance and protection of citizens’ rights.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu called for greater intelligence sharing, stronger institutional capacity, disruption of terrorism financing and improved efforts to prevent the movement of weapons and criminal networks across borders.
He also pointed to insecurity in the Sahel as an example of how instability in one country can affect neighbouring states through displacement, disruption of commerce and threats to regional integration and democratic governance.
Nigeria Calls for Diplomacy in Sudan, Other Conflicts
The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes under the UN Charter and called for urgent diplomatic action to address the conflicts in Sudan and other war-affected countries.
He urged all parties to respect international humanitarian and human rights law, protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access.
Tinubu said negotiated settlements must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that no claim to security should justify denying humanitarian relief or harming civilians.
He advocated greater investment in peacebuilding, mediation, institution-building and sustainable development, saying prevention should receive greater political attention and resources.
‘Africa Is Ready for the Future’
Tinubu said Africa’s youthful population, natural resources, expanding markets, resilience and innovation could make the continent a major driver of global growth.
He said the African Continental Free Trade Area offered opportunities to deepen regional integration, accelerate industrialisation and strengthen Africa’s position in global value chains.
The President called for a more inclusive UN that reflects the aspirations and contributions of developing countries, stressing that institutions must evolve to remain relevant.
“Nigeria pledges to choose cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over division, hope over fear and partnership over isolation,” he said.
Tinubu urged the international community to restore trust by honouring its obligations, managing global transformation with justice and compassion, and strengthening cooperation across national and regional divides.
He concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s support for a reformed, inclusive and effective United Nations capable of advancing peace, justice and sustainable development for present and future generations.
Tinubu Calls for UN Security Council Reform, Greater African Representation