President Bola Tinubu has renewed Nigeria’s demand for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
He made the call during the general debate of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu argued that the current structure of the UN no longer reflects the realities of the modern world.
He stressed that Nigeria deserves a seat as part of wider institutional reforms.
“When the UN was founded, Nigeria was a colony of 20 million people,” he said.
“Today, we are a sovereign nation of over 236 million, projected to become the world’s third most populous country.”
He added that Nigeria has one of the youngest and most dynamic populations in the world, a strong record in regional security, and consistent participation in global peacekeeping missions.
According to him, these credentials make Nigeria’s case for permanent membership a matter of fairness and credibility for the UN.
Tinubu also backed the UN80 Initiative adopted in July, which seeks to reform the United Nations system for greater efficiency.
He said Nigeria supports cutting duplications and restructuring institutions to ensure stronger coordination and effectiveness.
He warned that global peace cannot be achieved in isolation.
“Sovereignty is a covenant of shared responsibility,” he said, urging world leaders to work together to combat the spread of weapons, money laundering, and human trafficking that fuel conflicts across regions.
Highlighting Nigeria’s sacrifices, Tinubu noted that Nigerian troops have participated in 51 of the UN’s 60 peacekeeping missions since independence.
He reminded the Assembly that Nigeria has played leading roles in resolving African conflicts, including through the Multinational Joint Task Force.
On terrorism, Tinubu said Nigeria continues to confront violent extremism with firm resolve.
However, he stressed that lasting victory requires more than military might.
“Battles may be won by tactics, but wars spanning generations are won by values and ideas,” he said.
He emphasized that Nigeria stands for tolerance over tyranny and unity over division, adding that terrorists target the country because of these values.
Tinubu also condemned global conflicts, including civilian attacks in Gaza and the illegal aggression against Qatar.
He said Nigeria’s history of violence has taught it that unchecked aggression spreads beyond its starting point.
“Our difference is the distance between despair and hope, between anarchy and order,” he said, urging the UN to embrace reform and inclusiveness.