Nigeria's Vice-President Kashim Shettima has stated that Africa's continued exclusion from permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council undermines the fairness, credibility, and legitimacy of the global governance system. He made this remark during a meeting with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Shettima emphasized Nigeria's support for urgent reform of the United Nations.
Shettima commended UN Secretary-General António Guterres for advocating a more representative Security Council, particularly his stance that a 21st-century council without permanent African representation is "unjust and indefensible." The Vice-President stressed that a continent cannot be expected to bear the burdens of the international order without an equal say in directing it. He argued that global decisions should reflect contemporary geopolitical and demographic realities.
The Vice-President praised Guterres for defending international law and human dignity amid widening conflicts and rising geopolitical tensions. Shettima noted that the UN chief had consistently emphasized that sovereignty carries responsibilities and that military or political power cannot justify violations of human rights. He warned that diplomacy must not lose sight of the human cost of war and instability.
Shettima also commended Mohammed for her contributions to multilateral diplomacy and sustainable development, describing her service at the UN as a source of pride to Nigeria. He expressed Nigeria's willingness to be a dependable partner in efforts to rebuild trust among nations, uphold international law, and confront hunger, violence, and exclusion.
The meeting took place as Nigeria intensified its advocacy for reform of the UN Security Council, including greater representation for Africa in the body responsible for addressing threats to international peace and security. The Vice-President was accompanied by several governors and senior government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the UN.
Mohammed expressed gratitude to Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu for their support for the United Nations and her office as Deputy Secretary-General. She described Shettima's visit as a "deep honour" and thanked him for leading the Nigerian delegation to meet with her. Mohammed noted that Tinubu had been an "incredible support" to her and had demonstrated support for the United Nations as an institution.
The credibility of the international system, Shettima said, would ultimately depend on its capacity to respond fairly to human suffering and give all regions a meaningful voice in global decision-making. He emphasized that civilization endures only when the suffering of a stranger becomes a claim on our conscience. Nigeria will continue to support reforms aimed at making international institutions more representative, responsive, and credible.
Key points
- Nigeria's Vice-President Kashim Shettima calls for urgent reform of the United Nations to make it more representative and credible.
- Africa's exclusion from the UN Security Council undermines the global governance system's legitimacy, Shettima says.
- Nigeria will remain a dependable partner in efforts to rebuild trust among nations, uphold international law, and confront hunger, violence, and exclusion.
