President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, August 20,2025, called for reforms at the United Nations (UN) to grant Africa permanent representation on the Security Council.
Speaking at the plenary session on peace and stability during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, Tinubu argued that Africa deserved two permanent seats with full privileges, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
“Nigeria believes Africa’s quest for fair and equitable representation in the UN Security Council is a just demand,” Tinubu said. “Indeed, Africa deserves two seats in the permanent category, with all prerogatives and privileges, including the right of veto. Africa also deserves additional non-permanent seats.”
The President praised the Nigerian armed forces for their recent successes in combating insurgency and criminality, describing their momentum as a “springboard for national development and stability.” He, however, stressed that military victories alone cannot guarantee lasting peace without tackling poverty, inequality, and exclusion.
Tinubu cited peace agreements recently brokered in the Congo as examples of how mediation linked with economic investment can produce sustainable results. “We must be courageous in tackling not just terror, but also the underlying causes of terror,” he said.
He further urged for market-driven partnerships across borders, arguing that Africa must move beyond “hackneyed appeals for aid and handouts” towards mutually beneficial cooperation.
During the summit, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged $5.5 billion in support for Africa, reaffirming Japan’s commitment to the continent’s peace and development.