The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has called for Africa’s permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council, while also advocating for Nigeria’s role as the continent’s representative on the global body.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Sweden, Tuggar highlighted the exclusion of Africa from the Security Council despite the fact that nearly 60% of the Council’s resolutions pertain to African issues.
Tuggar criticized the UN Security Council for passing laws, such as the Deforestation Law, that negatively impact Africa. He pointed out that such laws often ignore the role of technological companies contributing to deforestation in Africa, instead targeting the continent’s agricultural practices. He also noted that many global decisions made by the Council have adverse consequences for African nations.
The Foreign Minister emphasized Nigeria’s strategic position in global politics under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, underscoring the country’s commitment to maintaining strategic autonomy and a non-alignment policy in its international relations.
The panel, which also included foreign ministers from Tunisia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda, was moderated by Bronwen Maddox, Director of Chatham House. The conversation touched on Africa’s role in global governance and the upcoming 2025 G20 Summit, which will be held in South Africa. Tuggar expressed confidence that the G20 Summit would provide an opportunity to advocate for Nigeria’s membership and Africa’s broader representation in global institutions.
Highlighting Nigeria’s historical significance, Tuggar reminded the audience of Nigeria’s support for South Africa’s liberation struggle, including providing asylum to former South African President Thabo Mbeki. He asserted that Nigeria, due to its substantial influence and history of supporting Africa, is well-positioned to lead the continent on the global stage.
Tuggar also noted Nigeria’s contribution to Africa’s development through its Technical Aid Corps, which sends professionals to assist other African, Caribbean, and Pacific nations. He described Nigeria as a non-threatening regional power with strong diplomatic ties and an absence of territorial disputes, further enhancing its credibility as a representative of the continent.
Furthermore, Tuggar emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s participation in the G20, a forum for discussing global economic and financial matters. He advocated for the reconsideration of Special Drawing Rights, which could be used to fund Africa’s energy transition, and called for the fulfillment of promises made at the Rio Summit regarding technology transfer to developing countries.
In response to questions about Nigeria’s goals at the G20, Tuggar emphasized the country’s commitment to pushing for fair global tax reforms and advocating for the interests of the Global South. He also shared his expectations that South Africa, as the host of the upcoming summit, would make a strong case for more inclusive and democratic global representation, particularly in terms of Africa’s participation.
Tuggar concluded by reiterating that Africa should not be treated as a monolithic entity, emphasizing Nigeria’s growing population and economic influence. With Nigeria’s track record and potential for future growth, he argued that the country deserves a stronger presence on the world stage, and he expressed hope that South Africa would support Nigeria’s bid for greater representation.