President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the need for Africa to secure permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council, complete with veto powers. Speaking at the Seventh African Union-European Union Summit in Luanda, Angola, Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, stressed that comprehensive reform of the global governance system is long overdue.
The Nigerian leader argued that Africa’s absence from permanent seats on the UN Security Council is a significant gap that needs to be addressed through genuine text-based negotiations under the Intergovernmental Negotiations framework. He expressed hope that EU member states would support Africa’s longstanding call for UN reform.
Tinubu highlighted the importance of addressing regional instability, citing Nigeria’s experience with terrorism, insurgency, and transnational organized crime. He noted that over 250,000 Boko Haram-affiliated individuals had surrendered in early 2025, following the Nigerian government’s kinetic and non-kinetic measures.
The president emphasized the need for stronger cooperation to address the challenges of armed conflict, illicit weapons, climate pressures, irregular migration, and political instability across Africa. He pointed to Nigeria’s adoption of a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin, as an effective model of African-led cooperative security.
Tinubu commended the EU’s commitment to restoring peace in the Sahel and recognized Europe’s concerns over irregular migration. However, he stressed that peace and security initiatives must be co-created with African partners and anchored in African-led frameworks. He proposed structured labor pathways, such as Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps, to address irregular migration.
The president also expressed concern over the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government in Africa, which he said undermines the democratic foundations of the African Union. He called on the EU to work closely with African partners to address the structural drivers of these crises.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to advancing peace, security, and democratic governance across the continent. He expressed appreciation for the EU’s longstanding support to the African Union, particularly in the area of peace and security, and welcomed the opportunity to work together to build a more stable, just, and prosperous world.
