Africa at the Table, Not on the Menu, by Abbas Tajudeen
Today in Geneva, at the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments, I made a clear call: Africa, with its 1.4 billion people, must take its rightful place at the heart of global decision‑making.
In this turbulent era – from climate disasters to geopolitical unrest – Africa bears the heaviest burden despite contributing the least to the crises. Yet, our voice remains faint in the United Nations Security Council and global financial institutions. This must change.
I urged urgent reform of the UN Security Council and the Bretton Woods system, moving Africa from the margins to the centre.
At home, the 10th House of Representatives is taking bold steps:
✅ Championing the Reserved Seats for Women Bill to close our 7% female representation gap.
✅ Empowering 1.2 million students annually through the Students’ Loan Act.
✅ Driving climate action and demanding fulfilment of the $100 billion global climate finance pledge.
✅ Advancing digital governance to harness our $5 billion tech ecosystem.
Nigeria’s parliament is committed to peace, justice, and inclusive prosperity – not just for our nation, but for the African continent and the world.
Inclusion is our cornerstone. Cooperation is our strength. And Africa’s time is now. ✊🏿
- Hon. Tajudeen is the Speaker of Nigeria’s 10th House of Representatives.
