President Bola Tinubu has stressed the urgency of securing permanent seats with veto powers for Africa on the United Nations Security Council. Speaking at the Seventh African Union‑European Union Summit in Luanda, Angola, he was represented by Vice‑President Kashim Shettima, who underscored that a comprehensive reform of the global governance system is long overdue. Tinubu argued that Africa’s exclusion from permanent membership creates a significant gap that must be closed through genuine text‑based negotiations under the Intergovernmental Negotiations framework, and he expressed hope that EU member states would back Africa’s longstanding call for UN reform.
The president highlighted the need to tackle regional instability, citing Nigeria’s experience with terrorism, insurgency and transnational organized crime. He noted that more than 250,000 Boko Haram‑affiliated individuals surrendered in early 2025 after the Nigerian government employed both kinetic and non‑kinetic measures. Tinubu emphasized stronger cooperation to confront armed conflict, illicit weapons, climate pressures, irregular migration and political instability across the continent, pointing to Nigeria’s combined approach—including the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin—as an effective model of African‑led cooperative security.
Tinubu praised the EU’s commitment to restoring peace in the Sahel and acknowledged Europe’s concerns about irregular migration. However, he insisted that peace and security initiatives must be co‑created with African partners and rooted in African‑led frameworks. He proposed structured labor pathways, such as Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps, to address irregular migration.
The president also voiced concern over the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government in Africa, warning that they undermine 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. Reaffirming Nigeria’s dedication to advancing peace, security and democratic governance across the continent, Tinubu thanked the EU for its longstanding support to the African Union—particularly in peace and security—and welcomed the opportunity to collaborate in building a more stable, just, and prosperous world.
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