₦airaland Forum

UN Secretary-General Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid for World Body’s Security Council Seat

. Says nation must lead Africa’s charge for new global order

. Lauds Tinubu’s reforms, regional security role

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.

Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.

The UN scribe made the remarks Friday night 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.

Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.

“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,” he 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.

Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.

The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.

In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited 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.

He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations 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 Africa.

Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/02/15/un-secretary-general-guterres-backs-nigerias-bid-for-world-bodys-security-council-seat/

What about India? India has more or less same population as Africa

They have been promising Africa a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council since the days of Koffi Annan.
Nothing new because nothing changed. They are not going to allow that to happen, because it will tip the balance of global power.

What Africa needs to do is to find ways to unravel the present United Nations and form a more inclusive union with like-minded nations. Something akin to the "Non Alling Movement ", where Africa and her interests would be defended.

The United Nations as it operates today has outlived its usefulness, and has become nothing but and exploitative tool in the hands of the powerful nations.

People who can't secure themselves wants to be put incharge of protecting others.

Un wey don cast. They only get power over weak nations

Tinubu has bribe the man and I can proof it

owobokiri:
They have been promising Africa a seat at the United Nations Security Council since the days of Koffi Annan.
Nothing new because nothing changed. They are not going to allow that to happen, because it will tip the balance of global power.

What Africa needs to do is to find ways to unravel the present United Nations and form a more inclusive union with like-minded nations. Something akin to the "Non Alling Movement ", where Africa and her interests would be defended.

The United Nations as it operates today has outlived its usefulness, and has become nothing but and exploitative tool in the hands of the powerful nations.

Apt and thought provoking comment. You have captured it all.

I had to check the moniker to see it's truly you. So imacha ife like this?

Okoroawusa:
Apt and thought provoking comment. You have captured it all.

I had to check the moniker to see it's truly you. So imacha ife like this?

Ana ekwugherii for a living..

George Bush called the United nations a debating society. No wonder trump threats them with contempt

Security council when boko no want make Nigeria drink water and drop cup.

Person wey no fit carry him priiik, how can he carry block? 😄😅🤣

9 million dollars lobby money have started paying off.

ogaemma:
9 million dollars lobby money have started paying off.

It's even better, so the screwdriver seller in the east will stop looking over his shoulders

God forbids..

Never going to happen

Osiris12:
Un wey don cast. They only get power over weak nations

Baba even the weak nations self them no still get power over dem, the UN is one of the most useless organisation on earth. Thank God for the board of peace spearheaded by Trump that will soon replace it.

...and one country can just veto the collective decision of the other member countries.

It doesn't really make any sense.

I thought Trump left the UN for Ghana and South Africa already. Meanwhile whats the zoo going to be discussing over there when they cant manage their internal security issues?
UN is looking for money

The weakest UN Secretary General since the body was founded. His empathy towards terrorists has downgraded his importance as well as damaged his credibility in the eyes of many powerful countries.

But where is the ball to do this? When they came for Gaddafi, no one came to his rescue, man was left in the cold.

What's happening to BRIC and countries tilting towards that direction?

We are in the world where might is right and it does not appear Africa can catch up.

Okoroawusa:
Apt and thought provoking comment. You have captured it all.

I had to check the moniker to see it's truly you. So imacha ife like this?

lawani:
What about India? India has more or less same population as Africa

Are you fighting for India or Africa?

The UN is not a useless organization in which Arab and North African Islamist have overrun by over flooding it with their appointments and recruitments.

lol…na so dem go dey whine us wey our head go dey swell like Ijebu garri

insidelife22:
People who can't secure themselves wants to be put incharge of protecting others.

Who is d representative of Nigeria there.
So that i can say something 😁... yeye dey smell true true!!... no be only security but... yeyerity...

Out of all the UN sec gen i have known... this is most disrespected.... in d history of d UN!

Okoroawusa:
Apt and thought provoking comment. You have captured it all.

I had to check the moniker to see it's truly you. So imacha ife like this?

My brother, if you have been on Nairaland for long , you will know owobokiri was a logical person , until Obi happened to him and then we lost him . I pray his eyes of understanding be opened .

I've been hearing this since I was a teenager still nothing come out , de play

ngmgeek:
It's even better, so the screwdriver seller in the east will stop looking over his shoulders

Why are you tormented by the East?
What concerns East with my post.
Your hatred towards the East will swallow you up.
I am not from the East, but they are more than you people.

Go to Lekki phase 1, point 10 Mansions, and I will show you that 6 belongs to people from the East. Yet you don't want to see them.

hopexter:
Are you fighting for India or Africa?

The UN should be democratic and members should have sits according to their GDP. No need for any elite council.

As country that can't guarantee citizens of security and safety wants to join UN's security council.

We can only get there through pita obi.

Not through hide and seek that we currently have.

benardtotti:
My brother, if you have been on Nairaland for long , you will know owobokiri was a logical person , until Obi happened to him and then we lost him . I pray his eyes of understanding be opened .

To you, anyone who supports Obi isn't logical, but anyone who supports the crooked Tinubu is logical, right?

lawani:
What about India? India has more or less same population as Africa

Comprehension is good! He is referring to Africa. Is India Africa?

Nigeria that hasn't been able to put its house in order is asking for a needless seat!

LordIsaac:
Comprehension is good! He is referring to Africa. Is India Africa?

Why should Africa have a sit there and not India? Use your head now. Is India represented in the UN security council?