Nigeria's Vice-President Kashim Shettima has expressed concerns over Africa's continued exclusion from permanent membership of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. He stated that this exclusion undermines the fairness and legitimacy of the global governance system. Shettima made these remarks during a meeting with UN Deputy Secretary-General, Hajiya Amina Mohammed, on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.
Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria's support for urgent reform of the United Nations. He noted that Nigeria would remain a dependable partner in efforts to rebuild trust among nations, defend international law, and address hunger, violence, and exclusion. The Vice-President commended UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, for his consistent support for a more representative Security Council. Guterres has declared that a 21st-century council without permanent African representation is "unjust and indefensible".
Shettima emphasized that Africa cannot be expected to bear the burdens of the international order without being given an equal say in directing it. He maintained that Nigeria would continue to support reforms that make international institutions more representative, responsive, and credible. The Vice-President stressed that global decisions must better reflect contemporary geopolitical and demographic realities.
The Vice-President praised Guterres for defending international law and human dignity amid widening global conflicts and rising geopolitical tensions. He noted that Guterres has remained a voice of reason as individual states drift from their obligations under the UN Charter and international law. Shettima also warned that diplomacy must not lose sight of the human consequences of war and instability.
Shettima commended UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, for her contributions to multilateral diplomacy and sustainable development. He described her service as a source of pride to Nigeria. The Vice-President added that Nigeria will remain a willing ally in the work of restoring trust among nations and dignity to lives diminished by hunger, violence, and exclusion.
The Vice-President emphasized that the credibility of the international system depends on its ability to respond fairly to human suffering and provide all regions with a meaningful voice in global decision-making. He noted that civilization endures only when the suffering of a stranger becomes a claim on our conscience.
Earlier, UN Deputy Secretary-General, Hajiya Amina Mohammed, expressed gratitude to Nigeria and the administration of President Bola Tinubu for their support to the UN and her office. She described it as a deep honor to have the esteem of Nigeria and its leadership.
Key points
- Africa's exclusion from the UN Security Council undermines global governance legitimacy.
- Nigeria supports urgent reform of the United Nations to make it more representative and credible.
- The international system's credibility depends on its ability to respond fairly to human suffering and provide all regions with a meaningful voice in global decision-making.
