UN Assembly: Full Speech By President Bola Tinubu

On Wednesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered Nigeria’s national statement at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, representing President Bola Tinubu.

In the address, President Tinubu called for Nigeria to be granted a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, highlighting Africa’s most populous nation as a key contributor to global peacekeeping and regional stability. He emphasized that the current UN structure no longer reflects today’s realities and urged reforms to ensure equitable representation for Africa.

Full Address (Summary Highlights):

Theme: Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development, and Human Rights – September 24, 2025

Vice President Shettima, speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, addressed the Assembly:

• Nigeria congratulated the newly elected President of the General Assembly and expressed support for her leadership. The nation also commended the outgoing leadership for their stewardship.

• He stressed that this anniversary should be a time to reflect on lessons learned, urging the UN to transform values into actionable solutions for peace, development, and human rights.

• Tinubu’s statement highlighted global challenges, including rapid technological change, climate emergencies, irregular migration, and violent ideologies, stressing the need for collective action.

• Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism while calling for reform in UN structures to ensure they remain effective and relevant.

Key Points Outlined in the Statement:

1. Nigeria must be granted a permanent seat on the UN Security Council as part of broader institutional reforms.

2. Urgent action is needed to promote sovereign debt relief and improve access to trade and financing.

3. Resource-rich countries should directly benefit from their natural minerals.

4. The digital divide must be addressed, with Africa fully included in technological advancement.

President Tinubu’s statement stressed that Nigeria’s evolution—from a colony of 20 million to a sovereign nation of over 236 million with a young and dynamic population—demonstrates the country’s eligibility for greater representation and influence within the UN.

Finally, Nigeria expressed support for the UN80 Initiative and recent UN resolutions aimed at reforming the organization for enhanced efficiency, coherence, and global relevance.