Nigeria has called for urgent reforms at the United Nations, stressing that the global body must reflect today’s realities and not remain stuck in the past. Vice President Kashim Shettima made this known while delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national statement at the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, September 24, 2025.
According to Mediaplusng.com, Shettima told world leaders that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. He explained that the country’s growth from a former colony of 20 million people in 1945 to a sovereign nation of over 236 million today, with one of the youngest populations in the world, makes its case stronger.
The vice president stressed that Nigeria has been a stabilising force in Africa and a consistent partner in global peacekeeping, having contributed troops to 51 UN missions since independence. He argued that the Council must expand and adapt to restore credibility to multilateralism. “Our demand is a call for fairness and representation,” he said.
Mediaplusng.com reports that Shettima also outlined Nigeria’s four major priorities: securing a permanent UN Security Council seat, promoting debt relief and fair access to trade and finance, ensuring resource-rich countries benefit from their own minerals, and closing the global digital divide. He added that “AI must stand for Africa Included,” insisting that developing nations must not be left behind in the digital economy.
On security, Shettima said Nigeria has continued to confront violent extremism with resilience while also supporting regional peace efforts. He paid tribute to the sacrifices of Nigerian soldiers and civilians, stressing that values and ideas remain the ultimate weapon against terrorism. He further called for global action to end conflicts, reduce the proliferation of arms, and uphold human rights.
The vice president also highlighted Nigeria’s recent economic reforms, including subsidy removal and currency adjustments, noting that while painful, these steps are designed to create long-term growth and prosperity. He urged world leaders to take climate change as a “security challenge” and invest more in education, resilient housing, and access to finance for vulnerable communities.
Shettima concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s full commitment to peace, development, multilateralism, and human rights. “For none of us is safe until all of us are safe,” he told delegates, urging renewed faith in the UN’s mission as the world body marks 80 years of existence.
