morganable politics/Governance
Tinubu said Nigeria was ready to assume greater responsibility in maintaining international peace and security, citing the country’s long history of peacekeeping and conflict resolution across the African continent.
KaNo—
President Bola Tinubu has called for sweeping reforms of the United Nations system, demanding permanent representation with veto powers for Africa on the Security Council, as he addressed world leaders at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA)in New York.
Tinubu’s position, delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima,underscored Nigeria’s long-standing advocacy for a more inclusive global governance structure, arguing that the current composition of the United Nations Security Council no longer reflects present-day geopolitical realities.
In his address to the General Debate on Thursday, the President insisted that Africa must no longer be excluded from permanent membership of the council, despite being central to many of the body’s deliberations.
“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. 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.”
The President argued that global institutions must evolve to reflect current demographic, economic and political realities, stressing that equitable representation was essential for legitimacy and effectiveness.
Tinubu said Nigeria was ready to assume greater responsibility in maintaining international peace and security, citing the country’s long history of peacekeeping and conflict resolution across the African continent.
He highlighted Nigeria’s involvement in peace missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali and The Gambia, noting that the country had consistently played a leading role in regional stability through platforms such as the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union.
According to him, Nigeria’s contributions extend beyond military engagement to include mediation, democratic governance support, counter-terrorism initiatives and maritime security cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.
On climate change, Tinubu rejected what he described as a false dichotomy between development and environmental sustainability, arguing that developing nations must be allowed to industrialise while adopting low-carbon pathways.
“We reject the false choice between development and climate action. Developing countries must industrialise, eradicate poverty and expand energy access through low-carbon pathways supported by technology transfer, capacity building and climate finance,” he said.
He noted that Africa contributes less than four per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions but bears a disproportionate burden of climate impacts, including desertification, flooding and food insecurity.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Agreement,adding that the country’s Energy Transition Plan aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 while expanding access to reliable and affordable energy.
The plan, he said, integrates renewable energy, clean cooking solutions and the use of natural gas as a transitional fuel, alongside climate-smart agriculture and nature-based solutions.
He further called for reforms in global climate financing, insisting that funding mechanisms must be equitable, predictable and accessible to developing countries.
“Finance must be governed by equity and shared responsibility rather than charity, with international commitments translated into adequately funded mechanisms that enable developing countries to pursue climate action without compromising development objectives,” Tinubu stated.
Addressing the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, the President emphasised the need for responsible deployment of emerging technologies, warning that their impact would depend largely on how they are governed and applied.
“We refuse to surrender our technological future to paranoia. Artificial intelligence can either be destructive or beneficial depending on how it is used. It can wage war or transform healthcare, education, agriculture and governance,” he said.
Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria was investing in digital public infrastructure, broadband connectivity and innovation ecosystems to harness the potential of AI for development.
He also invited international partners to collaborate with Nigerian youths, describing them as resourceful and capable of driving innovation if given the right support.
“We invite the world to work with our inventive and enterprising young people to direct AI towards humanity’s advancement rather than its destruction,” he added.
On economic development, Tinubu called for urgent reforms to the international financial system, identifying limited access to financing as a major constraint facing developing economies.
He advocated expanded access to concessional financing, as well as debt sustainability frameworks that take into account the unique development challenges of countries in the Global South.
“Nigeria calls for reform of the international financial architecture, wider access to concessional financing and debt sustainability frameworks that recognise developmental needs,” he said.
The President also endorsed innovative financing approaches, including blended finance, private capital mobilisation and South-South cooperation, as pathways to sustainable development.
He highlighted the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area, describing it as a catalyst for industrialisation, regional value chains and increased intra-African trade.
According to him, Africa must move beyond exporting raw materials and instead prioritise value addition, manufacturing and knowledge-driven growth.
“Our abundant natural resources must become engines of shared prosperity rather than sources of dependency,” Tinubu said.
On security, the President reflected on Nigeria’s experience combating insurgency, including the activities of Boko Haram and ISWAP, noting that military efforts alone were insufficient to guarantee lasting peace.
“Nigeria’s prolonged struggle has shown that military victories require enduring foundations in education, economic opportunity, accountable governance and the protection of human rights,” he said.
He stressed that sustainable peace depends on addressing the root causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality and exclusion.
Tinubu also called for strengthened international cooperation to combat terrorism, organised crime, cyber threats and illicit financial flows, which he said continue to undermine global stability.
He expressed concern over ongoing conflicts in Sudan and other parts of the world, urging all parties to prioritise diplomacy, protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian law.
“All parties must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity while facilitating humanitarian access and protecting vulnerable populations,” he said.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism, Tinubu emphasised the importance of diplomacy, peacebuilding and institutional strengthening in resolving global conflicts.
“We place our faith in diplomacy because military victories alone cannot secure lasting peace,” he added.
The President concluded by calling for greater recognition of Africa’s role in global development, describing the continent as an indispensable partner in addressing shared challenges.
“Developing countries must be recognised as essential contributors to global solutions, not merely recipients of assistance,” he said.
Tinubu’s address reflects Nigeria’s continued push for a more inclusive international order, as calls for United Nations reform gain momentum among developing nations seeking a stronger voice in global decision-making.
