Nigeria has called for urgent reform of the United Nations, stronger multilateral cooperation and renewed commitment to diplomacy, dialogue and international law as world leaders gather for the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Nigeria made the call in its national statement delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, during the General Debate of the 81st UNGA in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
The statement, delivered under the theme, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All,” urged the international community to rebuild confidence in global institutions and strengthen collective action in addressing emerging global challenges.
A major focus of Nigeria’s intervention was the reform of the UN Security Council, with the country reiterating Africa’s longstanding demand for greater representation in the Council.
Nigeria reaffirmed its support for the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, which seek at least two permanent and five non-permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council.
According to Nigeria, such reforms are necessary to reflect contemporary global realities and ensure meaningful African participation in decisions concerning international peace and security.
The country also highlighted its longstanding contribution to international peacekeeping, citing its roles in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali and The Gambia.
Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace, security and democratic governance through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union and Gulf of Guinea partnerships, while expressing readiness to shoulder greater responsibilities in advancing regional and global stability.
On economic development, Nigeria linked its foreign policy priorities to ongoing domestic economic reforms, stressing the importance of sound macroeconomic management, stronger institutions, private-sector development and strategic public investment in achieving sustainable development.
The country called for greater technology transfer, capacity building and climate finance to enable developing countries pursue economic growth while meeting their climate commitments.
Nigeria also reaffirmed its commitment to its Energy Transition Plan and the Paris Agreement, including its target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
On emerging technologies, the country highlighted opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and noted investments in digital infrastructure, broadband connectivity, innovation ecosystems, research institutions and technology entrepreneurship.
It called for responsible deployment of artificial intelligence to improve healthcare, education, agriculture, governance and economic productivity.
Nigeria further advocated reforms to the international financial architecture to improve developing countries’ access to concessional financing and sustainable debt frameworks.
It also backed innovative financing mechanisms involving private capital, blended finance, South-South cooperation and strategic partnerships, while describing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as critical to expanding intra-African trade, strengthening regional value chains and accelerating industrialisation across the continent.
On security, Nigeria called for stronger international cooperation against terrorism, organised crime, cyberattacks and illicit financial flows.
It urged countries to intensify intelligence sharing, strengthen institutional capacity, disrupt the financing of violence and prevent the proliferation of illicit weapons that fuel conflicts.
Drawing from its experience in combating Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups, Nigeria stressed that sustainable security requires more than military action, with education, economic opportunities, accountable governance and protection of citizens’ rights and dignity also essential.
The country also called for urgent diplomatic efforts to end conflicts in Sudan and other war-affected countries, urging all parties to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian access and respect international humanitarian and human rights law.
Nigeria maintained that dialogue, reconciliation, peacebuilding and conflict prevention must receive greater attention, stressing that military victories alone cannot guarantee lasting peace.
Highlighting Africa’s potential to drive future global growth, Nigeria pointed to the continent’s resilience, youthful population, natural resources, expanding markets and capacity for innovation as important advantages.
It called for developing countries to be recognised as essential partners in shaping global solutions and building shared prosperity.
In its concluding message, Nigeria pledged to continue choosing cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over division, hope over fear, and partnership over isolation.
It called on UN member states to honour their obligations to one another and confront contemporary global realities with justice, wisdom and compassion.
Nigeria said a reformed, inclusive and effective United Nations remained essential to achieving a peaceful, just and sustainable world for future generations, describing humanity as the world’s oldest citizenship and peace as an inheritance owed to every child.
