President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to serve as Africa’s representative on the United Nations Security Council, urging the inclusion of two permanent seats for the continent. Tinubu made the call on Monday at the 19th G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, emphasizing the need for equitable representation in global governance structures.
“The Security Council should expand its permanent and non-permanent member categories to reflect the world’s diversity and plurality better. Africa deserves priority in this process, and two permanent seats should be allocated to it with equal rights and responsibilities. Nigeria stands ready and willing to serve as a representative of Africa in this capacity,” Tinubu said, as relayed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu commended the G20 for granting permanent membership to the African Union, calling it a pivotal step toward inclusive global dialogue. He emphasized that Africa’s inclusion in global platforms like the G20 could lead to more comprehensive solutions for shared challenges.
Highlighting the importance of reform, he added, “Some permanent members of the council have shown promising signs of support for this process, which is a positive development. We welcome this shift in attitude and call for a faster pace to the long overdue change.”
In his address, Tinubu pointed out the persistent global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, terrorism, and conflict, which are aggravated by disparities in the international system.
He underscored the systemic issues that hinder the Global South, including unsustainable debt burdens, restricted access to capital markets, and unfair trade practices. A key concern raised was the inequities in the global taxation system, particularly for developing countries attempting to tax digital economies.
“The current international tax system, largely shaped by the interests of more affluent nations, often leaves developing countries at a disadvantage, especially in taxing digital economies,” Tinubu stated. He argued that these challenges must be addressed to ensure sustainable development across the Global South.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2030 targets. He urged for substantial reforms in multilateral institutions to bridge the gap between the Global North and South.
“This is the path for the future and one the G20 must champion. Nigeria is committed to being part of that future through active participation in the G20 and our steadfast support for achieving SDG 2030 targets,” he said.
President Tinubu also lauded Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for leading the creation of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, describing it as a groundbreaking initiative.
“This bold and visionary step underscores Brazil’s leadership in addressing one of the most urgent and persistent challenges facing our world today. The creation of this Alliance marks a significant milestone in our global efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty, and it also sends a powerful message of solidarity to vulnerable populations around the globe,” Tinubu remarked.
He noted that the alliance aligns with his administration’s dedication to eradicating poverty and achieving zero hunger, as outlined in SDGs 1 and 2. Tinubu praised the collaborative nature of the initiative, which involves governments, international organizations, and civil society to address both immediate and structural causes of hunger and poverty.
Tinubu’s advocacy for African representation at the UNSC and his support for international cooperation against hunger and poverty underscore his administration’s commitment to a more equitable global system. By aligning Nigeria’s domestic goals with international initiatives, Tinubu seeks to position the nation as a leader in driving sustainable development for Africa and the world.
