Nigeria Tells UN Africa Needs at Least Two Permanent Security Council Seats

Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima told the 81st UN General Assembly on September 24 that Africa cannot keep filling the Security Council's agenda while remaining absent from its permanent membership, and said Nigeria demands at least two permanent and five non-permanent Council seats for Africa. “The authority to speak for humanity carries an obligation to represent it,” he said. He called for international financial reform, greater access to concessional financing and improved debt sustainability frameworks, and reaffirmed Nigeria's goal of net-zero emissions by 2060. Citing the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP, he said military victories must be accompanied by education, economic opportunity and accountable governance.