Nigeria TV Info — Tinubu Renews Push for Nigeria’s Permanent Seat at UN Security Council

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday reiterated Nigeria’s long-standing call for a permanent seat on the United Nations (UN) Security Council, stressing that the global body must reflect today’s realities rather than outdated post–World War II structures.

Delivering the national statement on behalf of the President, Vice President Kashim Shettima addressed world leaders during the ongoing general debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.

Themed “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights,” UNGA 80 has drawn renewed attention to global governance and the need for reforms within the UN system.

President Tinubu emphasized that the UN would regain credibility and relevance only when it becomes more inclusive and representative. Alongside the demand for Security Council reform, Nigeria also urged the international community to provide sovereign debt relief and improve access to trade and financing for developing nations.

For decades, Nigeria has been at the forefront of Africa’s campaign for permanent representation on the UN Security Council. Successive administrations have maintained that as Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, Nigeria’s demographic weight, peacekeeping contributions, and regional influence make it a natural candidate for permanent membership.

Currently, the Council’s permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—hold veto powers, enabling them to block any substantive resolution regardless of majority support. Notably, no African country is represented among this elite group, despite the continent’s significant contributions to global peace and security.

With Africa’s growing voice in international affairs, Nigeria continues to argue that its inclusion on the Council would not only strengthen global peace efforts but also enhance the legitimacy of the United Nations in addressing modern challenges.