Nigeria Pushes for Africa’s Permanent Seat on UN Security Council

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has called for Africa to be granted a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), positioning Nigeria as the continent’s ideal representative. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Sweden, during a panel discussion titled “Africa’s Momentum,” Tuggar highlighted Africa’s exclusion from the Security Council, despite the fact that nearly 60% of the Council’s resolutions address African issues.

In a statement released by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, Tuggar criticized policies that disproportionately impact Africa, such as the UN Council’s Deforestation Law. He argued that such policies penalize African nations while overlooking the complicity of global corporations. He also emphasized Nigeria’s non-aligned foreign policy and strategic autonomy under President Bola Tinubu, advocating for fairness in global governance and Africa’s active involvement in decision-making processes.

The discussion, moderated by Chatham House Director Bronwen Maddox, featured other African leaders, including Tunisia’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Nafti, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Therese Wagner, and Uganda’s Finance Minister Matia Kasaija. They deliberated on Africa’s role in global governance and its agenda for the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa.

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Tuggar spotlighted Nigeria’s historical contributions to African liberation struggles, particularly its pivotal role in supporting South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement. He also stressed Nigeria’s leadership in soft power initiatives like the Technical Aid Corps, which deploys professionals to support development efforts across African, Caribbean, and Pacific nations.

Arguing for Nigeria’s inclusion in the G20, the minister cited the country’s economic size, projected population growth from 220 million to 400 million by 2050, and its global influence. “It is important for a country like Nigeria to be a member of the G20 because we are used to making a case for Africa. We have goodwill, we have soft power,” he stated.

Tuggar also addressed criticisms of Africa’s representation in global forums, stressing that the continent’s 54 nations should not be viewed as a monolith. He encouraged South Africa, host of the 2025 G20 Summit, to champion a more democratic and inclusive global system, expressing confidence in South Africa’s support for Nigeria’s bid for greater representation.

The minister advocated for the reassessment of Special Drawing Rights to finance Africa’s energy transition and called for renewed commitments to technology transfer agreements made during the Rio Summit. His remarks reflect Nigeria’s ambition to strengthen Africa’s voice in international decision-making and reinforce its leadership on the global stage.