Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made a case for Africa’s inclusion in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during his address at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9).
Speaking at the plenary session on Peace and Stability, Tinubu emphasized that Africa’s demand for two permanent seats on the UNSC, complete with veto rights, is a matter of historical justice and global equity.
He stressed that Africa’s 1.4 billion people and its critical role in global resources necessitate a stronger voice in international decision-making.
“It is the view of Nigeria that Africa’s quest for fair and equitable representation in the UN Security Council is a just and fair demand,” Tinubu said.
“Indeed, Africa deserves two seats in the permanent category, with all its prerogatives and privileges, including the right of veto. Africa also deserves additional seats in the non-permanent seat category of the Security Council.”
He also used the forum to commend the Nigerian armed forces for recent successes in the fight against insurgency and criminality, describing their momentum as a “springboard for national development and stability”.
The president noted that military victories alone cannot guarantee lasting peace without addressing poverty, inequality, and exclusion.
“Nigeria’s brave armed forces can win any number of battles, but we do justice to their heroism only when we, as government, are courageous in tackling not just terror but also the underlying causes,” he added.
The New Diplomat reports that Tinubu’s remarks come amid growing global call for the UNSC’s reform.
The current structure, established nearly 80 years ago, has been criticized for underrepresenting Africa, which holds three non-permanent seats but lacks permanent representation.
