Nigeria has demanded at least two permanent seats for Africa on the United Nations Security Council, with full rights and responsibilities including veto powers.

The demand was made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Nigeria’s address to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday. Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered the address on the President’s behalf.

Tinubu argued that the current structure of the Security Council does not reflect the geopolitical realities of the contemporary world, noting that its composition remains rooted in the distribution of power that existed at the end of World War II.

“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,” Tinubu said.

He said Africa should no longer remain central to issues considered by the Security Council while being excluded from its permanent membership.

“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,” he said.

The United Nations Security Council currently has 15 members, comprising five permanent members, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, and 10 non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. The five permanent members hold veto powers on substantive resolutions.

Africa currently has no permanent seat on the council, despite being represented among the elected non-permanent members at different times.

Nigeria’s position is aligned with the Ezulwini Consensus, the African Union’s common position calling for expanded permanent and non-permanent representation for the continent on the Security Council.

The Nigerian government had identified reform of the Security Council as one of its priorities ahead of UNGA 81, alongside calls for wider reforms of the multilateral system and stronger representation for developing countries in global decision-making.

Tinubu also called for a broader reform of the international system, including changes to the global financial architecture and greater access to concessional financing for developing countries.

Nigeria further urged stronger diplomatic efforts to address conflicts, protection of civilians and greater emphasis on peacebuilding and sustainable development.

The demand for permanent African representation on the Security Council has been part of the continent’s longstanding campaign for reform of the global body. Any amendment to the UN Charter, however, would require the agreement of the existing permanent members as part of the established reform process.