By Sulyman Gobir
President Bola Tinubu has renewed Nigeria’s call for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council, saying the Council’s current structure no longer reflects the realities of today’s world.
Tinubu made the call on Thursday while addressing the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, United States. Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him at the session.
The President said the distribution of global power established in 1945 could not continue to determine the structure of the Security Council in 2026.
“The reform of this institution must begin with the reconstitution of the Security Council, for the world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the distribution of power in 1945,” he said.
Nigeria has repeatedly advocated reforms that would give Africa permanent representation on the Council. The country has also served five times as an elected, non-permanent member.
Tinubu also called for stronger international cooperation to tackle terrorism and other cross-border security threats.
He urged countries to improve intelligence sharing, strengthen security institutions, disrupt the financing of terrorism and stop the movement of illegal weapons across borders.
The President said terrorism, organised crime, cyberattacks and illicit financial networks continue to exploit weaknesses between national security systems.
Drawing from Nigeria’s experience with Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups, Tinubu said military operations alone could not deliver lasting peace.
He called for greater investment in education, economic opportunities and accountable governance, alongside efforts to protect citizens’ rights and dignity.
Tinubu also raised concerns about insecurity in the Sahel, saying instability in one country could spread across borders through displacement, weakened regional integration and threats to democratic governance.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working through the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union to address the drivers of violent extremism.
Nigeria, US Deepen Cooperation on Critical Minerals
Meanwhile, Nigeria and the United States have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in the country’s solid minerals sector.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York by Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau at the Nigerian Mission House.
The framework covers geological data, mineral exploration and development, processing, infrastructure and technical capacity building.
The deal is expected to provide a framework for deeper technical cooperation between both countries as Nigeria seeks to develop its mineral resources and expand capacity across the sector.
