Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has added his voice to calls for Africa, especially Nigeria, to have a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive global decision-making process.
Kalu made the appeal during a heads of parliaments meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York, a preparatory session for the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, in July under the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Addressing parliamentary leaders from around the world, he stressed that the current multilateral system is disproportionately influenced by the global North, leaving developing nations in the global South, struggling with critical developmental challenges.
Kalu urged the UN to expand its representation for developing countries in global governance, ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making spaces.
He argued that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while well-intentioned, do not fully align with the priorities of nations still striving for industrialization and economic growth.
“We need to define what we want to achieve with multilateralism. The current dynamic is driven by the global North, while the global South faces pressing developmental issues.
“My people in Nigeria have a saying: you cannot shave a man’s head in his absence. If you want developing countries to embrace multilateralism, give them more seats in the rooms where developmental conversations are held. Tailor these discussions to address their unique challenges,” he stated.
Kalu pointed out that with only five years left to achieve the SDGs, many African nations are still burdened by debts and economic instability, making it difficult to meet the same targets set for more developed regions.
He also advocated for amendments to Article 108 of the UN Charter, which governs changes to the organization’s structure, to allow Africa to gain a permanent seat on the Security Council.
Read also: Ohanaeze Youth praises Tinubu, Kalu for establishing South-East Development Commission
The deputy speaker argued that true multilateralism must be guided by inclusivity, equality, and cooperation, ensuring that global policies reflect the interests of all nations, not just a select few.
“When you critically analyze how multilateralism operates today, it is clear that equality is missing. Africa, which falls under the global South, is not treated as an equal player in shaping global policies,” he emphasized.
“If we must preach multilateralism, it’s time to reform the UN Security Council and grant Africa a permanent seat. Without this, the idea of multilateralism will remain a theoretical concept rather than a functional global framework,” he added.
Following the meeting, Kalu expressed appreciation to IPU President, Tulia Ackson, Secretary-General, Martin Chungong, and global parliamentary heads for their engagement on the issue.
