World can’t be governed by 1945 power structure in 2026 — Tinubu tells UN

President Bola Tinubu has renewed calls for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, insisting that the Security Council must be restructured to grant Africa permanent representation.

Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Tinubu argued that the current global power structure no longer reflects modern realities.

“The reform of this institution must begin with the reconstitution of the Security Council, for the world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the distribution of power in 1945.

“Africa cannot continue to fill the Council’s agenda while remaining absent from its permanent membership,” he said.

The President demanded, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, at least two permanent seats for Africa, with full rights and responsibilities, including veto powers for as long as the privilege exists.

He also called for five non-permanent seats for the continent.

“Nigeria demands, in accordance with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, at least two permanent seats for Africa, with all the rights and responsibilities of permanent membership, including the veto for as long as it exists, and five non-permanent seats in total. The authority to speak for humanity carries an obligation to represent it,” he added.

Tinubu also urged world leaders to end ongoing conflicts and reject rising nationalism, warning that the global order is under serious strain.

“The persistence of conflict across the world recalls the purpose for which the United Nations was founded: to spare succeeding generations the devastation of war. We must therefore return to the founding principles of dialogue, mutual respect and collective responsibility.

“Nigeria stands by the Charter and its promise of a world in which diplomacy prevails over coercion, cooperation over isolation and international law over the arbitrary exercise of power,” he stated.

The President stressed that no country is immune to the consequences of global instability, noting that distant conflicts often have far-reaching effects on other nations.

Highlighting Nigeria’s role in promoting peace across Africa, Tinubu pointed to the country’s contributions to peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Mali and The Gambia.

“Through ECOWAS, the African Union and our Gulf of Guinea partnerships, we continue to advance mediation, democratic governance, counter-terrorism and maritime security,” he said.

Tinubu further stated that Nigeria remains committed to sustainable development through disciplined macroeconomic management, strong institutions, private-sector growth and strategic public investment.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s progress is closely tied to Africa’s development and global efforts to promote peace, equity and prosperity.

According to him, governments earn public trust when policies improve lives, adding that leaders must confront security and climate challenges directly rather than assume that borders provide protection from global crises.