Shettima Critiques Africa's UN Security Council Exclusion

Vice-President Kashim Shettima stated that Africa's exclusion from permanent membership of the United Nations (UN) Security Council undermines the fairness and legitimacy of global governance. He reaffirmed Nigeria's support for urgent UN reforms during a meeting with UN Deputy Secretary-General Hajiya Amina Mohammed at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.

Shettima commended UN Secretary-General António Guterres for advocating a more representative Security Council and emphasized that a council without permanent African representation is “unjust and indefensible.” He asserted that Nigeria would support reforms to make international institutions more representative and responsive, reflecting contemporary geopolitical realities. Shettima also praised Guterres for defending international law amid global conflicts and warned that diplomacy should not overlook the human consequences of war.

He expressed Nigeria's commitment to restoring trust among nations and highlighted the importance of addressing human suffering in global decision-making.