Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has called for Nigeria to be granted a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, insisting that Africa’s most populous nation deserves a central role in shaping global decisions.
Speaking during the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Shettima underscored the importance of fairness, peace, and development in international relations. He argued that despite Africa’s vast human and natural resources, the continent continues to be sidelined in decisions that determine the future of the world.
Shettima stressed that the UN’s credibility hinges on its ability to reflect today’s realities rather than outdated global structures. He reminded world leaders that Nigeria, once a colony of just 20 million people when the UN was founded, has grown into a sovereign nation of over 236 million. With such growth and influence, he said Nigeria deserves not only recognition but also a permanent voice on the Security Council.
He pressed for urgent reforms to ensure equitable debt management, fairer trade access, and improved financial support for developing nations. Shettima also noted that countries rich in natural resources must receive greater benefits from their assets, which are often exploited without fair returns.
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The Vice President reaffirmed Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to peacekeeping, recalling that the country has participated in 51 out of 60 UN peacekeeping missions since independence in 1960. He maintained that this record of sacrifice and service reinforces Nigeria’s credibility as a global peace partner.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s ongoing fight against insurgency, Shettima stressed that sustainable peace cannot be achieved by military power alone but through cooperation, shared values, and collective security efforts. He further highlighted how challenges such as arms trafficking, financial crimes, and migration fuel instability, issues he said require joint global action.
Shettima concluded by urging the UN to embrace reform, warning that without inclusive representation and streamlined operations, the body risks losing both relevance and trust. For Nigeria, he said, a permanent Security Council seat is not just about national pride but about ensuring Africa finally has a decisive voice in shaping a fairer and more secure world order.
