Nigeria Pushes Africa-Led Security, UN Veto Power at AU–EU Summit

Nigeria has renewed its push for Africa to secure permanent seats with veto power on the United Nations Security Council, describing the long-standing structure of global governance as outdated and in urgent need of reform.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made the call on Monday at the 7th African Union–European Union Summit in Luanda, Angola, where he urged European partners to support Africa’s demand for full representation and influence in the UN system. The President was represented at the meeting by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

During the plenary session on Peace, Security, Governance and Multilateralism, Tinubu said Africa’s voice must carry the same weight as other global regions, adding that genuine text-based negotiations under the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) framework should begin without delay.

He warned that the current multilateral arrangement does not reflect modern realities, especially as African countries continue to bear the brunt of armed conflict, irregular migration, climate shocks, and democratic instability.

“It is time for Africa to occupy permanent seats on the UN Security Council with all attendant privileges, including the veto,” Tinubu said, calling on EU member states to back the continent’s long-standing demand for reform.

The Nigerian leader also pressed for stronger AU–EU cooperation, built on joint planning and African-led security frameworks. He argued that externally designed interventions have proved insufficient without meaningful involvement of regional actors who understand local dynamics.

He pointed to Nigeria’s handling of insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin as an example of effective regional cooperation, noting that the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) remains a proven model for counterterrorism efforts. According to him, more than 120,000 Boko Haram-affiliated individuals, including family members, had surrendered as of early 2025 due to a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies.

Tinubu added that Nigeria’s recent Sea-Lift Agreement with the African Union Standby Force further strengthens the continent’s capacity for rapid deployment during peace support missions and humanitarian operations.

On the situation in the Sahel, he praised the EU for its ongoing efforts but stressed that security solutions must reflect realities on the ground. He rejected the use of private military contractors in African conflicts, saying their presence often undermines sovereignty and complicates peace efforts.

The President also touched on irregular migration, warning that punitive approaches have worsened insecurity rather than addressing the underlying economic pressures driving mobility. He proposed structured labour pathways, expanding technical cooperation, and leveraging sectors like Business Process Outsourcing to connect Africa’s skilled youth with global opportunities.

Turning to democratic governance, Tinubu expressed concern over the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government across the continent. He highlighted Nigeria’s role, along with neighbouring states, in launching the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) to strengthen constitutional order, counter extremist propaganda, and address governance challenges fueling instability.

He also called for coordinated international action on the crisis in Sudan, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of over 12 million people. Rising tensions in South Sudan, he said, also require sustained engagement ahead of the 2026 elections.

Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a stable and democratic Africa, stressing that solutions must be homegrown and rooted in shared responsibility. He thanked the Government of Angola for hosting the summit and acknowledged the EU’s longstanding support to the AU, especially in peace and security.

Nigeria, he concluded, is ready to deepen cooperation with Europe in the pursuit of a more secure, just, and prosperous global order.