Nigeria has renewed its call for a major overhaul of the United Nations Security Council, seeking at least two permanent seats for Africa with veto powers and five non-permanent seats for the continent.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima made the demand on Thursday while presenting President Bola Tinubu’s national statement at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to Vanguard.
Nigeria’s position is anchored on the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, which constitute the African Union’s common position on reform of the Security Council.
Shettima said the current structure of the Council does not adequately reflect the geopolitical realities of the present era, arguing that Africa should have a permanent role in decisions on international peace and security.
He maintained that the continent could not continue to feature prominently in matters considered by the Council while remaining excluded from its permanent membership.
Under the proposed arrangement, Africa would receive at least two permanent seats with the same privileges enjoyed by existing permanent members, including veto authority for as long as the veto remains part of the Council’s structure.
The reform proposal also calls for five non-permanent seats for Africa, while the continent currently has no permanent seat on the Council.
The existing permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Shettima further linked the restructuring of the Council to the broader need to rebuild confidence in multilateral institutions, particularly amid conflicts and growing divisions among nations.
He cited Nigeria’s contributions to peace efforts in countries including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali and The Gambia, as well as its regional engagements through ECOWAS and the African Union.
The Vice-President said Nigeria would continue to support diplomacy, international law and peaceful resolution of disputes, while urging stronger collective action on conflicts such as the war in Sudan.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Charter and said global institutions must evolve to respond effectively to contemporary challenges.
The call adds Nigeria’s voice to the longstanding African campaign for permanent representation on the Security Council and greater participation in decisions affecting global peace and security.
