At the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Bola Tinubu voiced strong concerns over global priorities that perpetuate poverty and hunger, while neglecting urgent humanitarian needs.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu criticized the disproportionate allocation of resources toward war efforts instead of alleviating human suffering in developing nations.
Addressing world leaders, Tinubu stressed the dangers of rising nationalism and the erosion of multilateralism. “Today, these pillars of our organization are threatened,” he warned, emphasizing that individual national priorities are undermining collective global action. He urged nations to recommit to multilateral cooperation, which he described as the most effective solution to global challenges like terrorism, poverty, hunger, and climate change.
In addition to his call for multilateralism, Tinubu appealed for “comprehensive debt relief” for Nigeria and other developing countries. He argued that sustainable economic progress in the Global South is impossible without debt forgiveness and special financial concessions. This echoes similar calls made by former President Muhammadu Buhari during the 76th session of the UNGA.
Tinubu also reiterated Nigeria’s long-standing demand for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. He insisted that Africa, as a continent, should have equal representation and rights on the Council’s permanent membership.
Addressing broader issues, Tinubu condemned the rise of unconstitutional changes of government in Africa, linking these to the fragility of democracy without economic development and sustained peace. He called on the global community to tackle the root causes of instability, such as poverty, hunger, and inequality.
On economic reforms, Tinubu advocated for changes to the international financial system, including transparent multilateral trade practices and the recovery of illicit financial flows. Earlier, VP Shettima sought Finland’s support in Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council during a meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
“Nigeria has 25 years of uninterrupted democracy,” Shettima noted. “With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the helm, Africa and the world will move toward a safer, more peaceful future.”
