President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for bold
reforms at the United Nations, warning that the global body risks losing
credibility if it fails to match words with action. Speaking at the 80th UN
General Assembly, Tinubu—represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima—highlighted
Nigeria’s transformation story while pushing for reforms that reflect today’s
realities.
The President described the ongoing humanitarian
crises in the Middle East and other regions as “stains on our collective
humanity,” urging urgent global action. He listed four key reform demands,
beginning with permanent Security Council membership for Nigeria.
“The UN will recover its relevance only when it
reflects the world as it is, not as it was,” Tinubu declared.
Nigeria’s Transformation and Global
Standing
Tinubu noted Nigeria’s journey from “a colony of 20
million” to a sovereign nation of over 236 million people, projected to
become the world’s third most populous country with one of the youngest
populations. He stressed that Africa’s dynamic role in global stability must be
recognised.
Strong Stance on Palestine
On the Middle East crisis, Tinubu made Nigeria’s
position clear:
“A two-state solution remains the most dignified path to lasting peace for
the people of Palestine. They are not collateral damage in a civilisation
searching for order. They are human beings, equal in worth and dignity.”
Debt Reform and Economic Transformation
Tinubu proposed a new global debt mechanism,
describing it as an “International Court of Justice for money” to help
emerging economies escape debt traps. He emphasised that debt relief must be
seen as a path to shared prosperity, not charity.
Highlighting Nigeria’s economic reforms, Tinubu
acknowledged the hardship caused by subsidy removal and currency restructuring
but described them as “difficult but necessary steps” to unlock
long-term growth.
Africa’s Critical Minerals and Digital
Inclusion
The President warned that Africa’s rich strategic
minerals must benefit local communities, not just global markets. He called
for local processing, fair partnerships, and job creation, arguing that
raw material exports only fuel inequality.
On technology, Tinubu echoed the UN
Secretary-General’s call for inclusivity:
“‘AI’ must stand for ‘Africa Included’,” he said,
pushing for investments to close the digital divide.
Nigeria’s Fight Against Extremism
Addressing security, Tinubu stressed that defeating
violent extremism requires more than weapons.
“Military tactics may win battles, but only values and ideas win wars that
span generations,” he said.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to peace,
unity, human rights, and multilateralism, warning that failure to reform global
governance would lead to predictable instability.
“We must make real change—change that works, and
change that is seen to work. For none of us is safe until all of us are safe,”
he concluded.
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