Guterres to Shettima: Nigeria must lead Africa’s push for new global order
…UN chief backs Nigeria’s UNSC bid, applauds Tinubu’s reforms, regional security role United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Nigeria to spearhead Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing
...UN chief backs Nigeria’s UNSC bid, applauds Tinubu’s reforms, regional security role
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Nigeria to spearhead Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent towards superpower status.
Guterres also backed Nigeria’s push for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), while commending the economic reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration and the country’s stabilisation role in the Sahel and ECOWAS sub-region.
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A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said the UN chief spoke on Friday during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to Guterres, Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism make it a natural leader in the evolving global architecture.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” Guterres said.
The UN Secretary-General and the Vice President discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel, even as it continues to confront internal security challenges.
Guterres applauded what he described as the “remarkable and outstanding reforms” of the Tinubu administration, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
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The meeting also focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration in advancing global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked Guterres for his leadership in promoting global peace, saying Africa has benefitted immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the Vice President said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities, insisting that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures.
He declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security and development across the African continent.
