Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for a major reform of the United Nations, demanding stronger and permanent representation for Africa on the UN Security Council.
Shettima made the demand on Thursday while delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national statement at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He said the current structure of the global body no longer reflects the realities of the world in 2026.
He said Africa could no longer continue to participate in the Council’s agenda from the margins while remaining excluded from permanent membership. Shettima argued that the world could not remain “captive to the distribution of power in 1945.”
Specifically, Nigeria demanded at least two permanent seats for Africa, with the full rights and responsibilities of permanent membership, including veto power for as long as the veto remains in existence. Nigeria also called for five non-permanent seats for the continent, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
The demand comes amid renewed calls for reform of the UN Security Council, which currently has five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — and 10 non-permanent members. The African Union has long pushed for greater representation in the Council.
Daily Times
