UNGA: Tinubu demands Sweeping UN reforms, calls for Nigeria’s permanent Security Council Seat

President Bola Tinubu has urged the United Nations to embrace far-reaching reforms or risk sliding into irrelevance as global crises continue to outpace its influence.

Speaking at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York through Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu criticised the organisation’s failures in addressing conflicts, inequality, and human suffering, describing them as “stains on our collective humanity.”

He stressed that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, arguing that the body must reflect today’s realities rather than outdated structures. “Nigeria must have a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. This should take place as part of a wider process of institutional reform. The United Nations will recover its relevance only when it reflects the world as it is, not as it was,” he declared.

Tinubu called for stronger action on nuclear disarmament, fair access to trade and finance, and accountability in conflict resolution, while affirming Nigeria’s support for a two-state solution in Palestine. “The people of Palestine are not collateral damage… They are human beings, equal in worth, entitled to the same freedoms and dignities that the rest of us take for granted,” he said.

On global finance, he proposed a new binding mechanism to manage sovereign debt, likened to “an International Court of Justice for money,” to ease the burden on developing nations. He stressed that debt relief should be treated not as charity but as a pathway to shared peace and prosperity.

Highlighting Africa’s critical role in the future, Tinubu insisted that resource-rich nations must benefit fairly from their minerals through local processing, investment, and job creation. He also demanded urgent efforts to close the digital divide, echoing the UN Secretary-General’s call that “AI must stand for Africa Included.”

Turning to Nigeria’s domestic reforms, Tinubu defended his government’s tough economic measures, including the removal of subsidies and currency controls, which he said were necessary to dismantle distortions that favoured a few at the expense of the majority. He described the reforms as painful but vital, adding that Nigeria’s resilience could serve as a model for other developing countries.

On security, the President maintained that ideology and values, not just military force, are key to defeating terrorism and extremism. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism, peace, and human rights, warning that the UN must adapt quickly. “We must make real change, change that works, and change that is seen to work. If we fail, the direction of travel is already predictable,” he cautioned.