President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, in his address to the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, emphasized the need for multilateralism and inclusivity within the United Nations.
He urged world leaders to expand the UN Security Council, granting permanent seats to Nigeria and other African nations.
He said, “I urge you to strengthen multilateralism and expand inclusivity within the United Nations.”
“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.
Tinubu welcomed the support from some permanent members and encouraged accelerated progress on this issue to strengthen the UN’s relevance and credibility. He stressed the importance of collective action in addressing global crises such as terrorism, climate change, poverty, and economic instability.
“The Security Council should be expanded, in the permanent and non-permanent member categories, to reflect the diversity and plurality of the world. We fully support the efforts of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in this regard. 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.
“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 that are assembled here today. While commitment to multilateralism offers us the surest guarantee of global action to address the existential challenges we face, singularity and nationalism are undermining the aspirations towards the peaceful and collective resolution of such challenges.
The president criticized the growing trend of nationalism and unilateralism, which he believes undermines efforts to solve global challenges. He emphasized that the pursuit of individual national interests is obstructing the collective goals of peace, sustainable development, and human rights.
Tinubu expressed concern over the rising threat of military coups in Africa, linking them to economic underdevelopment. He argued that these coups demonstrate how fragile democracy can become when not supported by economic development and sustained peace and security
To address citizens’ frustrations, Tinubu emphasized the need for stronger democratic institutions supported by economic growth, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
He also urged reforms in the international financial system to better serve developing countries, advocating for debt relief and a more transparent and equitable multilateral trading system.
Moreover, Tinubu pushed for the recovery of illicit financial flows and assets stolen from developing countries, stressing the need for stronger international cooperation. He underscored the devastating impact of climate change, describing it as a key driver of insecurity, and called on world leaders to stick to their commitments from previous climate summits.
On insecurity, Tinubu reiterated that terrorism, insurgency, and violent extremism remain existential threats to global peace and stability. He highlighted Nigeria’s efforts in counterterrorism and emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, security, and economic inequality.
