Nigeria renews call for permanent African seats on UN Security Council

Nigeria is set to renew its call for reform of the United Nations Security Council as Vice-President Kashim Shettima delivers the country’s national statement at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.

The campaign centres on greater African representation in the UN’s principal body responsible for international peace and security, with Nigeria maintaining that it should be considered for a permanent seat as part of a broader reform of the global system.

Nigeria’s position is consistent with the African Union’s long standing demand for at least two permanent seats for Africa, alongside additional non-permanent seats. The continent currently has no permanent representative on the 15-member Security Council.

The reform debate has gained renewed attention at the 81st General Assembly. The President of the UN General Assembly, Khalilur Rahman, said Africa’s continued exclusion from the permanent category was a major issue of fairness and the credibility of the organisation.

Nigeria has argued that the composition of the Council no longer reflects contemporary geopolitical, demographic and economic realities.

At last year’s UN General Assembly, Shettima outlined Nigeria’s position, calling for a permanent Nigerian seat while also supporting wider institutional reforms. He linked Security Council reform to issues including sovereign debt, access to trade and financing, local processing of strategic minerals and closing the digital divide.

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Nigeria has also backed the African position that any permanent seats allocated to the continent should carry the same rights and privileges as those held by existing permanent members, including the veto if the veto remains part of the Council’s structure.

Beyond Security Council reform, African governments and the UN’s Office of the Special Adviser on Africa have identified reforms to the global financial architecture, climate finance, debt vulnerabilities and sustainable industrialisation as major priorities for the continent.

The UN said African countries are seeking changes to address high borrowing costs, debt pressures and credit-rating practices, while also demanding greater access to climate finance and support for adaptation.

The continent is also seeking greater economic value from its natural resources, particularly critical minerals needed for the global energy transition and new technologies. African policymakers have increasingly called for investment in local processing, manufacturing, technology transfer and skills development rather than continued dependence on raw-material exports.

Nigeria has previously argued that countries where strategic minerals are found should benefit through investment, partnerships, local processing and employment opportunities.

The reform agenda also extends to emerging technologies. With artificial intelligence, digital finance and biotechnology increasingly influencing economic and geopolitical power, African countries are pressing for greater participation in technology development and access.

Climate change remains another major concern. Although Africa contributes a relatively small share of global greenhouse-gas emissions, the continent faces significant climate-related risks and continues to demand stronger international support for adaptation, financing and technology.

The broader argument advanced by Nigeria and other African states is that representation at global decision-making institutions is closely connected to the continent’s ability to influence rules on security, finance, trade, technology and development.

Nigeria’s diplomatic campaign is therefore being presented within the wider African position on Security Council reform rather than solely as a national bid.

UN negotiations on Security Council reform are continuing, with the General Assembly expected to sustain intergovernmental discussions during the 81st session.

For Nigeria, the UNGA provides another opportunity to press the case that an international system created in the aftermath of World War II should evolve to reflect the political, economic and demographic realities of the 21st century.