Tinubu challenges UN status quo, demands greater African voice at 80th UNGA

By Kunle Sanni –

President Bola Tinubu has called for urgent reforms at the United Nations, warning that the global body risks becoming irrelevant if it fails to reflect the realities of today’s world.

Addressing the 80th session of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday through Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu criticised the UN’s reliance on “careful diplomatic language” in the face of mounting global crises, particularly in the Middle East. He argued that the organisation’s credibility is being eroded by inaction.

He reiterated Nigeria’s long-standing demand for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, stressing that fairness and proper representation are essential for global stability. “The United Nations will recover its relevance only when it reflects the world as it is, not as it was,” Tinubu said.

The President also called for a radical overhaul of the international financial system, proposing the creation of a global debt court to help developing nations escape what he described as “the economic straitjacket of primary production.”

On the Palestinian issue, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for a two-state solution, describing it as the “most dignified path” to lasting peace. “The people of Palestine are not collateral damage in a civilisation searching for order,” he said.

Highlighting Africa’s vast mineral resources, Tinubu insisted that producer nations must benefit fairly from strategic minerals critical to future technologies. He urged investment in local processing and job creation to reduce inequality and global tensions.

The President also called for efforts to close the digital divide, warning that artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies must not leave Africa behind. “AI must stand for ‘Africa Included,’” he noted.

Turning to domestic issues, Tinubu acknowledged the economic hardship Nigerians are facing following his administration’s reforms, including subsidy removal and currency liberalisation. However, he defended the measures as “difficult but necessary” steps to unlock long-term growth.