By Cross Udo, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has called for a fundamental restructuring of the global order, declaring that the United Nations can no longer operate on a power structure designed in 1945 while Africa remains excluded from permanent representation on the Security Council.
Tinubu made the demand in his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, delivered on his behalf by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who is representing the President and leading Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA.
The President specifically demanded at least two permanent African seats on the Security Council, with full rights and responsibilities, including veto power for as long as the veto remains, as well as five non-permanent seats for the continent.
“The reform of this institution must begin with the reconstitution of the Security Council, for the world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the distribution of power in 1945,” Tinubu said.
“Africa cannot continue to fill the Council’s agenda while remaining absent from its permanent membership.”
He said Nigeria’s demand was anchored on the African Union’s Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
“Nigeria demands, in accordance with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, at least two permanent seats for Africa, with all the rights and responsibilities of permanent membership, including the veto for as long as it exists, and five non-permanent seats in total,” he stated.
Tinubu argued that the authority exercised by the UN must be matched by representative participation, stressing that decisions affecting the international community could not continue to be shaped by an outdated distribution of global power.
The President also called for an immediate end to armed conflicts and a renewed commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, warning that persistent warfare was undermining confidence in multilateral institutions.
*Tinubu demands end to wars, return to UN Charter
He said the continuing conflicts across the world had reinforced the need for dialogue, mutual respect and collective responsibility rather than unilateral action.
“The persistence of conflict across the world recalls the purpose for which the United Nations was founded: to spare succeeding generations the devastation of war,” Tinubu said.
“We must therefore return to the founding principles of dialogue, mutual respect and collective responsibility.”
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Charter and peaceful settlement of disputes, saying diplomacy and international law must remain central to resolving conflicts.
“Nigeria stands by the Charter and its promise of a world in which diplomacy prevails over coercion, cooperation over isolation and international law over the arbitrary exercise of power,” he said.
Tinubu cited Nigeria’s peacekeeping and mediation roles in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali and The Gambia, saying the country had repeatedly committed personnel and resources whenever continental and international solidarity demanded action.
He said Nigeria would continue to work through ECOWAS, the African Union and Gulf of Guinea partnerships on mediation, democratic governance, counter-terrorism and maritime security.
On Sudan and other war-torn countries, the President called for urgent diplomacy to address their humanitarian, economic and geopolitical consequences.
“We should all be afraid of a world in which we can no longer tell the victim from the aggressor,” he said, warning against propaganda that shields perpetrators from accountability.
Tinubu also renewed Nigeria’s call for reforms to the international financial architecture, including greater access to concessional financing and debt sustainability arrangements that recognise the developmental needs of poorer countries.
“One of the greatest obstacles to sustainable development is inadequate financing,” he said, noting that debt-servicing obligations consume resources that could otherwise be directed towards education, healthcare and infrastructure.
He demanded wider participation by developing countries in global economic decision-making and a financial system capable of supporting sustainable development rather than deepening existing inequalities.
Tinubu linked Nigeria’s position on global financial reform to its domestic economic programme, citing macroeconomic management, stronger institutions, private-sector growth and strategic public investment.
*Africa seeks fair climate finance, energy transition
On climate change, the President rejected what he described as a false choice between development and climate action.
He said developing countries must be allowed to industrialise, eradicate poverty and expand energy access while pursuing lower-carbon development pathways backed by technology transfer and adequate climate finance.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and a fair energy transition, stressing that Africa contributes less than four per cent of global emissions despite bearing a significant share of the consequences of climate change.
Under Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, he said the country was working towards net-zero emissions by 2060 while expanding access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
He urged developed countries to provide the financing and technology required to enable developing economies to undertake the energy transition without sacrificing development.
Tinubu also warned that terrorism, cybercrime and other transnational threats could not be effectively addressed through military action alone.
Drawing from Nigeria’s experience confronting Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups, he said no country could completely insulate itself from threats sustained beyond its borders.
He argued that lasting security required education, economic opportunities, accountable governance and respect for human rights alongside security operations.
The President highlighted Nigeria’s role as a founding member of ECOWAS and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to regional solidarity and African-led solutions to security challenges.
He also said Nigeria would not allow concerns about artificial intelligence to prevent it from pursuing technological advancement.
Tinubu said the government was expanding digital public infrastructure, broadband access and technology entrepreneurship to ensure Nigerians benefit from emerging technologies.
Concluding his address, the President called for a United Nations that is more representative, effective and responsive to the challenges confronting the international community.
“A reformed, inclusive and effective United Nations is indispensable to the peaceful, just and sustainable world that future generations deserve,” he said.
“Whatever our differences, we must remember that humanity is our oldest citizenship, and peace is the inheritance we owe every child.”
