Nigeria has renewed its call for a fundamental reform of the United Nations Security Council, with Vice President Kashim Shettima urging the international community to reconstitute the Council to reflect the geopolitical realities of 2026. Delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national statement at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 24, Shettima said UN reform “must begin with the reconstitution of the Security Council”, arguing that the world could no longer remain governed by a distribution of power established in 1945. Nigeria is seeking at least two permanent seats for Africa with full rights and responsibilities, including veto powers for as long as the veto remains part of the Council, alongside five non permanent African seats, according to ChannelsTv.
The position reflects the African Union’s longstanding Common African Position on Security Council reform, established through the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration. Africa currently has no permanent seat on the 15 member Security Council, whose five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Shettima argued that the continued absence of permanent African representation is increasingly difficult to reconcile with the continent’s role in global affairs, particularly as issues involving Africa regularly feature on the Council’s agenda. His remarks also came as the UN’s intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform continue, with a June 2026 UN paper noting broader recognition of Africa’s aspiration for greater representation and describing redressing the historical injustice against Africa as a priority under the Pact for the Future.
Beyond Security Council reform, Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for multilateralism, international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts, while pointing to the country’s contributions to peace operations and regional security efforts through the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS. Nigeria’s wider UNGA agenda has also focused on reform of the international financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance, technology access and stronger representation for developing economies. The Federal Ministry of Information said before the General Debate that Nigeria would use its participation to advance national interests while advocating a global system that gives developing countries a stronger voice. Shettima’s address therefore places Security Council reform within Nigeria’s broader diplomatic push for greater African participation in global decision making.
