Shettima: Africa Deserves UN Security Council Seat

Amarachi Ihesiulo

September 28, 2026
3 min read
Vice President Kashim Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Africa’s continued exclusion from permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council undermines the fairness and legitimacy of the global governance system.

Shettima stated this on Saturday during a meeting with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The Vice President reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for urgent reforms of the United Nations, stressing that international institutions must become more representative, responsive and credible.

Nigeria had earlier renewed its call for at least two permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council, with veto powers for as long as the privilege remains available to existing permanent members. The country also backed five non-permanent seats for the continent.

Shettima said the current structure of the Security Council does not adequately reflect contemporary geopolitical and demographic realities.

He also commended UN Secretary-General António Guterres for supporting a more representative council, particularly his position that the absence of permanent African representation is unjustifiable.

“A continent cannot be summoned to bear the burdens of the international order and then denied an equal hand in directing it,” Shettima said.

He urged the international community to ensure that diplomacy remained focused on the human consequences of conflicts, including displacement, hunger and loss of lives.

The Vice President also praised Guterres for defending international law and human dignity amid growing geopolitical tensions and conflicts around the world.

Shettima said Nigeria would continue to work with the United Nations and other international partners to rebuild trust among nations, defend international law and promote peace and development.

He further commended Amina Mohammed for her contributions to multilateral diplomacy and sustainable development, describing her service at the UN as a source of pride to Nigeria.

Responding, Mohammed expressed gratitude to Nigeria and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their support for the United Nations and her work as Deputy Secretary-General.

She described the visit by the Nigerian delegation as an honour and thanked Tinubu for embracing her as a Nigerian and supporting the global institution.

The meeting came as Nigeria intensified its advocacy for reforms to the UN Security Council during the ongoing General Assembly. Shettima is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA on President Tinubu’s mandate.

The Vice President was accompanied by Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia, Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal.

Also on the delegation were Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim.