President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for sweeping institutional reforms at the United Nations, warning that the global body risks growing irrelevance if it fails to adapt to today’s geopolitical realities.
Delivering Nigeria’s national statement at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) in New York—via Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him—President Tinubu criticised the UN’s inability to address global crises and advocated for Africa’s stronger inclusion in global governance.
“The UN must reflect the world as it is—not as it was,” Tinubu stated.
UN Must Reform or Become Obsolete, Says Tinubu
In a bold address, the Nigerian leader pointed to protracted global conflicts, human suffering in the Middle East, and the marginalisation of African voices as evidence of the UN’s declining relevance.
“The slow pace of progress on enduring issues such as Security Council reform, nuclear disarmament, and equitable global finance has led some to turn away from multilateralism,” Tinubu warned.
Nigeria Demands Permanent UN Security Council Seat
Leading Nigeria’s four-point reform agenda, Tinubu reiterated the country’s demand for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
“Nigeria must have a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. This is central to a broader institutional reform process,” he asserted.
Tinubu argued that Nigeria’s transformation from a colonial territory of 20 million people to a sovereign nation of over 236 million—with one of the youngest and most dynamic populations globally—qualifies it for a permanent voice in global decision-making.
Palestine and Global Conflicts: “Stains on Our Collective Humanity”
Addressing ongoing global conflicts, Tinubu called the lack of progress on international peace efforts a “stain on our collective humanity.”
He took a firm stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, declaring that:
“A two-state solution remains the most dignified path to lasting peace for the people of Palestine… They are not collateral damage—they are human beings, equal in worth.”
Tinubu Proposes “International Court of Justice for Money”
In a pointed critique of the global financial system, Tinubu called for a binding mechanism to manage sovereign debt, likening it to an “International Court of Justice for money.”
He argued that such a mechanism is essential for debt relief in developing countries—not as charity, but as a strategic investment in global stability.
“Emerging economies must escape the economic straitjacket of raw material export dependence,” he said.
Strategic Minerals: Africa Must Benefit Fairly
Highlighting Africa’s critical role in the future of global technology, Tinubu urged global investors to partner with Africa to explore and process strategic minerals on the continent.
“When we export raw materials without value addition, we perpetuate inequality and instability,” he warned. “Africa, including Nigeria, must benefit fairly—through jobs, local processing, and investment.”
Closing the Digital Divide: “A.I. Must Mean Africa Included”
President Tinubu echoed the UN Secretary-General’s call to ensure Artificial Intelligence (AI) serves global equality.
“A.I. must stand for Africa Included,” he said, calling for a new digital dialogue to close the global wealth and knowledge gap.
Economic Reform: “The Transition is Difficult, but Necessary”
On domestic affairs, Tinubu acknowledged the hardship caused by recent economic reforms—including subsidy removal and currency restructuring—but defended them as vital steps for long-term economic transformation.
“I believe in the power of the market to transform,” he said. “Our job is to facilitate and trust in the ingenuity of our people.”
Nigeria’s Security Philosophy: “Values Win the War”
Speaking on Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, Tinubu argued that military force alone is insufficient, and that long-term peace must be rooted in values, ideas, and ideological clarity.
“Military tactics win battles; values win generational wars,” he declared.
A Call for Renewed Multilateralism
Concluding his address, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism, peace, and human rights.
“None of us is safe until all of us are safe. The direction of travel is already predictable if we fail to act,” he warned.
