By Sarah Sam Adda
Vice President Kashim Shettima has renewed Nigeria’s call for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, stressing that global peace, development, and human rights can only be advanced through reforms that reflect current realities.
Speaking at the general debate of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Shettima lamented Africa’s underrepresentation in global decision-making despite its vast resources. He argued that Nigeria, as the continent’s most populous nation and a regional power, deserves permanent representation.
The Vice President also pressed for urgent action on sovereign debt relief, fairer access to trade and financing, and policies that ensure mineral-rich nations benefit directly from their resources. He urged the international community to bridge the digital divide, declaring that artificial intelligence must stand for “Africa Included.”
Shettima recalled Nigeria’s journey from a 20-million-strong colony excluded from global governance at the UN’s founding, to a sovereign nation of over 236 million people—projected to become the world’s third most populous country. He backed the Secretary-General’s UN80 reform initiative and the July 18 resolution to streamline UN structures for greater efficiency and effectiveness.
Describing sovereignty as a “covenant of shared responsibility,” Shettima called for stronger cooperation against illicit arms flows, terrorism, and non-state actors driving conflict. He noted that Nigeria has contributed to 51 of 60 UN peacekeeping missions since independence, underscoring its commitment to regional security through mechanisms such as the Multinational Joint Task Force.
At home, he said Nigeria continues to confront insurgency with resolve, stressing that while military action can deliver temporary victories, only values and ideas can secure lasting peace across generations.
