UNGA79: Tinubu seeks permanent security council seat for Nigeria

• Tinubu highlighted pressing global issues: terrorism, climate change, poverty, economic instability, inequality, and human rights abuses.

President Bola Tinubu has called on world leaders to fortify multilateralism and promote inclusivity within the United Nations, advocating for permanent seats for Nigeria and other African nations on the UN Security Council.

Recall that the president was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the UNGA

Speaking at the 79th UN General Assembly, Tinubu emphasized the need for Security Council reform, welcoming supportive indications from permanent members.

“Some permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have offered encouraging, if tentative indications of support on the issue of reform of the Council. We welcome the change in tone and urge an acceleration in momentum to the process,” he said.

Tinubu stressed that the Security Council’s expansion should reflect global diversity, supporting Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ efforts.

“Africa must be accorded the respect that it deserves in the Security Council. Our Continent deserves a place in the permanent members category of the Security Council, with the same rights and responsibilities as other permanent members.”

He criticized the growing trend of nationalism and unilateralism, hindering global challenge solutions.

He started that the pursuit of individual national interests obstructs collective goals of peace, sustainable development, and human rights.

Tinubu highlighted pressing global issues: terrorism, climate change, poverty, economic instability, inequality, and human rights abuses.

“Today, these pillars of our organisation are threatened. They risk being broken by the relentless pursuit of individual national priorities rather than the collective needs of the nations,” he said.

Tinubu urged decisive action on terrorism, armed conflict, inequality, food insecurity, migration, and climate change.

He expressed concern over Africa’s rising military coups, linked to economic underdevelopment, and advocated for stronger democratic institutions.

To address economic inequality, Tinubu called for international financial system reforms, debt relief, and equitable multilateral trading systems.

“Countries of the Global South cannot make meaningful progress without comprehensive debt relief measures.”

Tinubu emphasized climate change’s devastating impact, citing Nigeria’s recent floods, and urged leaders to honor commitments from previous climate summits.

“No country is immune from the effects of climate change. We must honor our commitments or risk postponing the inevitable,” he added.

On insecurity, Tinubu reiterated the existential threats of terrorism, insurgency, and violent extremism, highlighting Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts and the “Abuja Declaration.”

He stressed the need for collective action to tackle interconnected crises.