Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered the national statement at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 24, 2026, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The statement focused on reform of the UN Security Council, Africa's representation in global institutions, climate action, artificial intelligence, development financing, and terrorism. Shettima highlighted Nigeria's experience with terrorism and insecurity, and called for greater international cooperation to address these challenges.
Shettima emphasized the need for reform of the UN Security Council, arguing that its current structure no longer reflects the realities of the contemporary world. He demanded at least two permanent seats for Africa, with full rights and responsibilities of permanent membership, including veto power. Nigeria also called for five non-permanent African seats, in line with the continent's longstanding position on Security Council reform. This push for reform is aimed at making the Council more representative and effective.
The Vice President linked Nigeria's experience with terrorism to the wider challenge of transnational insecurity. He identified terrorism, organized crime, cyberattacks, and illicit finance as threats that exploit gaps between national responses and are strengthened by divisions that undermine collective action. Shettima specifically cited Nigeria's prolonged fight against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other armed groups, saying that military victories alone are insufficient to establish lasting peace.
Shettima also drew attention to the security situation in the Sahel region, arguing that insecurity in one country can affect neighboring states through displacement, disrupted commerce, and weakened democratic governance. He emphasized the importance of regional solidarity and African leadership in resolving these challenges, reinforced by principled international partnerships. Nigeria's experience in regional cooperation through ECOWAS was highlighted as a key aspect of its approach.
Notably, the 2026 statement did not mention Palestine, Gaza, Israel, or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This omission is significant, given that Nigeria's previous UNGA statements under the Tinubu administration had addressed the issue. In 2024, Shettima made an explicit appeal for Palestinian independence, and in 2025, the statement referred to violence against civilians in Gaza and supported a two-state solution.
Shettima highlighted Nigeria's contributions to international peacekeeping, citing the country's involvement in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali, and The Gambia. He said Nigeria is prepared to assume greater responsibility in international affairs, citing its contributions to peace and security through ECOWAS, the African Union, and Gulf of Guinea partnerships. This commitment to peacekeeping and regional cooperation underscores Nigeria's role in global affairs.
The Vice President concluded by calling for greater international cooperation in intelligence sharing, institutional capacity building, disrupting the financing of violence, and preventing weapons from crossing national borders. He emphasized that development cannot take root where violence repeatedly destroys livelihoods, and that peace cannot endure where injustice and exclusion continue to create conditions for violent groups to recruit.
Key points
- Nigeria demands permanent African seats in the UN Security Council.
- Shettima calls for stronger global action against terrorism and insecurity.
- The 2026 statement omits reference to Palestine, Gaza, Israel, or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
