Tinubu Demands Two Permanent UN Security Council Seats for Africa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for fundamental reform of the United Nations Security Council, saying the global body can no longer operate on a distribution of power established in 1945.

Tinubu made the call in his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026. The address was delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The President demanded at least two permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council, with the full rights and responsibilities of permanent membership, including veto powers for as long as the veto system remains in place.

He also called for five non-permanent seats for Africa, reflecting the continent's longstanding position on reform of the Council.

Tinubu argued that the current composition of the Security Council no longer reflected contemporary geopolitical realities and said Africa should no longer remain without permanent representation on the body responsible for major decisions on international peace and security.

“The world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the distribution of power in 1945,” he said, according to the address.

The President said Africa continued to make significant contributions to international peace and security but remained underrepresented in the institutions responsible for global decision-making.

Beyond Security Council reform, Tinubu called for an end to armed conflicts around the world and urged countries to reject excessive nationalism and unilateral action.

He said the continuing conflicts in different regions demonstrated the need for the international community to return to the principles of the UN Charter, including dialogue, mutual respect, collective responsibility and peaceful resolution of disputes.

Tinubu highlighted Nigeria's contributions to peacekeeping and conflict resolution across Africa, including its involvement in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali and The Gambia.

He said Nigeria remained committed to working through regional and continental institutions, particularly the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, to promote peace, democratic governance, counter-terrorism and maritime security.

On climate change, Tinubu called for greater international support for developing countries, particularly African nations seeking to expand energy access, reduce poverty and industrialise while pursuing lower-carbon development pathways.

He reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to the Paris Agreement and the country's target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, while calling for greater access to climate finance, technology transfer and other support for developing countries.

The President also called for reforms to the international financial system, including improved access to concessional financing and debt arrangements that take the development needs of poorer countries into account.

He argued that high debt-servicing costs were restricting the resources available to developing countries for essential sectors including education, healthcare and infrastructure.

Tinubu further warned that terrorism and cyberattacks could not be addressed through military measures alone.

He called for greater investment in education, economic opportunities, accountable governance and respect for human rights as part of efforts to address the underlying conditions that contribute to insecurity.

The President said Nigeria would continue to support peaceful solutions to conflicts, including the crisis in Sudan, and urged world leaders to strengthen multilateral cooperation.

Tinubu concluded by calling for a more representative and effective United Nations, saying the organisation must adapt its institutions to contemporary global realities and better serve future generations.