Nigeria will renew its campaign for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council as Vice President Kashim Shettima leads the country’s engagements at the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The country is also expected to advocate broader reforms of the United Nations system, stronger development outcomes for developing countries and increased international investment in Nigeria.
The priorities were outlined after Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, briefed Shettima on the country’s agenda and planned engagements during the high-level week.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, disclosed the details following the meeting.
According to Nkwocha, Nigeria will build on positions it has presented during previous UN engagements, particularly its advocacy for reforms aimed at making multilateral institutions more representative and responsive to developing countries.
He said Shettima would communicate President Bola Tinubu’s positions across various high-level forums during the General Assembly.
A major focus will be Nigeria’s longstanding campaign for permanent African representation on the Security Council.
Nigeria has consistently argued that Africa’s absence from the Council’s permanent membership is an imbalance in the global governance system. The 15-member Security Council currently has five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — all of which possess veto powers.
The continent has 54 UN member states but does not currently hold a permanent seat on the Council.
Nigeria maintains that reform of the Security Council should reflect contemporary geopolitical realities and provide Africa with a permanent role in decisions concerning international peace and security.
In a statement to the UN’s Special Committee on the Charter earlier in 2026, Nigeria called for permanent African representation on the Security Council with the privileges attached to permanent membership, including the veto.
Nigeria’s delegation will also engage governments, international organisations, businesses and development partners during the UNGA high-level week.
Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim said Nigeria’s participation would focus on reforms that can improve the practical impact of multilateral institutions on member states and their citizens.
The country’s economic agenda is also expected to feature prominently, with discussions covering opportunities in sectors such as solid minerals, energy, infrastructure, agriculture and technology.
Shettima is representing President Tinubu at the General Assembly and is scheduled to present Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate.
The renewed diplomatic push comes as calls for reform of the Security Council continue, including calls from UN Secretary-General António Guterres for permanent African representation.
