Shettima Renews Nigeria’s Call for Permanent African Seats on UN Security Council
Vice President Kashim Shettima has vehemently criticized the exclusion of Africa from permanent UN Security Council membership, advocating for urgent reforms to ensure global governance fairness. During a meeting with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed at the 81st UN General Assembly, Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to a more representative international system and praised UN Secretary-General António Guterres for supporting African representation.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has renewed Nigeria’s call for permanent African representation on the United Nations Security Council, arguing that the continent’s exclusion undermines the fairness and legitimacy of the global governance system. Shettima made the remarks during a meeting with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to a statement issued on September 26. He said Nigeria would continue supporting reforms aimed at making international institutions more representative, responsive, and credible, while commending UN Secretary-General António Guterres for advocating a more representative Security Council.
Shettima argued that Africa should not be expected to bear the responsibilities of the international system while remaining excluded from its permanent decision-making structures. He praised Guterres for defending international law and human dignity amid ongoing conflicts. He warned that diplomacy must remain focused on the human consequences of war, including displaced families, hunger and civilian suffering.
The Vice President also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism, saying the country would remain a partner in efforts to restore trust among nations and address hunger, violence and exclusion. Nigeria’s position forms part of a broader African demand for at least two permanent Security Council seats with veto powers for as long as the veto exists, alongside five non-permanent seats.
Shettima had restated that position at UNGA 81 while delivering President Bola Tinubu’s national statement, arguing that the Council’s existing structure reflects the distribution of power in 1945 rather than contemporary geopolitical realities.
Amina Mohammed, meanwhile, thanked Nigeria and the Tinubu administration for their support for the United Nations and her work as Deputy Secretary-General, while Shettima’s delegation included Kwara Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia, Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal, Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Nigeria’s UN envoy Jimoh Ibrahim.