Nigeria Calls for Greater African Representation and Fairer Global Finance

Nigeria has called for major changes to the international system, including an expanded African presence on the United Nations Security Council and reforms to global finance and climate funding. On Security Council reform, Nigeria said Africa should receive at least two permanent seats with full privileges, including veto rights for as long as the veto remains in existence. It also called for five non-permanent African seats.

The demands were framed as being consistent with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. Nigeria also urged a return to the UN’s founding principles, including dialogue, mutual respect and collective responsibility. It said diplomacy should take precedence over coercion and that international law should prevail over arbitrary power.

On conflicts, Nigeria called for urgent diplomatic action, particularly in Sudan and other war-torn countries. It said all parties must respect international humanitarian and human rights law, protect civilians and allow humanitarian assistance to reach those in need. The country further called on the UN to strengthen peacekeeping while placing greater emphasis on peacebuilding, mediation, institution-building and sustainable development.

It also advocated reforms to the international financial architecture, wider access to concessional finance and debt frameworks that reflect the needs of developing countries. On climate change, Nigeria said funding arrangements should be based on equity and shared responsibility. It called for commitments to be converted into accessible, predictable and adequately funded mechanisms for developing countries.