Nigeria Urges UN Security Council Expansion, Demands Permanent Seats and Veto Power for Africa

Nigeria has formally called for the creation of at least two permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council for African nations, complete with veto powers.

Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered this declaration on behalf of President Bola Tinubu during the national statement at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.

In addition, he requested five non-permanent seats for Africa, aligning with the continent’s long-standing collective stance on Security Council reform.

Shettima emphasized that the Council’s current structure fails to reflect modern geopolitical realities, thereby undermining the legitimacy of global decision-making.

“The global landscape of 2026 cannot remain bound by the power distribution established in 1945,” he stated.

He noted that Africa can no longer be excluded from permanent membership while matters critical to the continent continue to dominate the Council’s agenda.

According to him, Nigeria’s stance aligns with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, which form the Common African Position.

Under this common position, Africa seeks a minimum of two permanent seats with full existing privileges, alongside five non-permanent seats on the Council.

The African Union reiterated this demand in May, asserting that Africa’s exclusion from permanent representation represents a historical imbalance that must be corrected.

Shettima argued that institutions claiming the authority to act on behalf of humanity must adequately represent the peoples they represent.

He linked Security Council reform to broader efforts to restore confidence in multilateralism amidst growing geopolitical divisions.

The Vice President also reaffirmed Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to the UN Charter and international cooperation.

He stated that Nigeria supports an international system where diplomacy takes precedence over coercion, and international law guides relations among states.

Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s historical contributions to international and regional peacekeeping operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali, and The Gambia.

He noted that Nigeria continues to collaborate through ECOWAS, the African Union, and Gulf of Guinea mechanisms.

According to him, these efforts encompass mediation, counter-terrorism, democratic governance, and maritime security.

Shettima stated that persistent regional conflicts underscore the urgent need to return to dialogue, collective responsibility, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

He identified the conflict in Sudan and other crisis zones as requiring urgent diplomacy due to their profound humanitarian, economic, and geopolitical consequences.

The Vice President also warned against a global environment where propaganda blurs the lines between victims and aggressors, complicating accountability.

He maintained that an inclusive and effective UN remains indispensable to global peace and sustainable development.

Nigeria’s demand comes amidst renewed calls by African leaders for reforms to an institution whose permanent membership has remained unchanged since its inception.

The Security Council currently consists of five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—each holding veto power.

Africa currently has no permanent representation on the Council.

The African Union’s preferred reform model proposes at least two permanent African seats, including veto privileges, while retaining the existing members.

The reform model also seeks five non-permanent seats for Africa.

Shettima stated that Nigeria remains committed to a multilateral order capable of responding credibly to 21st-century realities.

According to him, differences among nations must not obscure their shared humanity or the collective responsibility to preserve peace for future generations.

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