Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar has disclosed that Nigeria will intensify its push for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council during the ongoing 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly and its side events.
He made this disclosure following the arrival of Vice President Kashim Shettima in New York, United States of America, according to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), dated 22 September 2025.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Vice President is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the global event, participate in the UN high-level general debates, and attend various side events.
Fresh Push
Speaking on Nigeria’s objectives for this year’s UNGA, Foreign Affairs Minister Amb. Yusuf Tuggar said Nigeria will champion the United Nations Global Convention on Taxation, which is central to the ongoing push to reform the global financial architecture.
He added that the Nigerian government will also seek a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
“This is something that has positioned Nigeria as a leader, and you could see that during the briefing for the Vice President, where Ministers and senior government officials were present. The whole idea of the briefing is to ensure we are all aligned. So, in our engagements, we must promote this; we must also promote Nigeria’s push to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council because Africa has a common African position,” he added.
- The Minister stressed that Africa is the only continent or grouping with a unified stance on UN Security Council reform.
- He insisted that Africa should have a minimum of two permanent seats in line with “the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.”
- On his part, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Uba Sani, stated he expects Nigeria’s participation in the 80th UNGA to further reposition the country as an investment destination and one of the leading economies in Africa.
“Some of the areas we are focusing on involve solid mineral resources, in which Nigeria is performing exceptionally well. We are also targeting other sectors like agriculture and skills-based education across our economy,” he said.
- Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olajumoke Omoniyi Oduwole, said Nigeria will push to promote and enforce sustainable development aligned with the nation’s goals.
- The Minister noted that the government will leverage Nigeria Investment Day to highlight priority sectors ranging from solid minerals to telecommunications and technology, among others.
Backstory
Recall that in September last year, the United States expressed support for creating two permanent seats for African nations on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as part of ongoing efforts to reform the powerful global body.
The U.S. proposal responded to long-standing demands from developing countries, including African nations such as Nigeria, for permanent representation on the UNSC, which currently consists of five permanent members—the U.S., Russia, China, France, and the U.K.—all holding veto power.
The UN Security Council is the principal organ of the UN responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
