UNITED NATIONS — Nigeria called on the United Nations to undergo urgent reforms, warning that the world body risks becoming irrelevant if it does not act more decisively on global crises.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, delivered the message Tuesday at the 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Tinubu said the UN must close the gap between its promises and its actions to maintain credibility.

“The credibility of this institution is being eroded by the gulf between words and deeds,” Shettima said on behalf of the Nigerian leader. “If the United Nations does not reform, the world will move on without it.”

Nigeria pushes for economic fairness

Nigeria used the platform to highlight economic struggles faced by developing countries. Tinubu urged world leaders to support sovereign debt relief programs and improve access to global trade and financing.

He said these steps are necessary for countries in Africa and beyond to escape poverty and build resilient economies. According to him, Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms could serve as a model for others facing similar challenges.

“Without fair debt relief and meaningful access to trade, many developing nations will remain trapped,” Shettima said. “Nigeria is showing that transformation is possible, but we need global systems that support this progress.”

Criticism of global diplomacy

Tinubu also criticized what he described as the UN’s cautious diplomatic language in the face of conflicts in the Middle East and other regions. He said silence and half measures have left millions of people vulnerable while fueling distrust in international institutions.

“The United Nations cannot afford to watch from the sidelines while wars rage and humanitarian crises worsen,” Shettima said. “Diplomatic statements are not enough. Action is required.”

The comments came as wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and other conflict zones dominate international headlines. Tinubu’s address placed Nigeria among countries demanding stronger intervention from global leaders.

Call for a stronger African voice

Tinubu emphasized that Africa must play a larger role in shaping global decisions. He repeated Nigeria’s long-standing demand for permanent representation for Africa on the UN Security Council, arguing that the continent should not remain on the margins of power.

“Africa can no longer be treated as an afterthought in matters that affect the entire world,” Shettima said. “We bring solutions, resources, and opportunities that the global system cannot ignore.”

The vice president said Nigeria’s leadership role in West Africa and its contributions to peacekeeping missions show the country’s readiness to take on greater responsibility at the international level.

Reform debate gains momentum

Nigeria’s remarks add to a growing chorus of nations pressing for change at the UN. Leaders from Latin America, Asia, and Africa have in recent years questioned the effectiveness of the body’s current structure, particularly the dominance of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

Analysts say the call for reform reflects frustration over global inequalities, slow responses to humanitarian crises, and limited progress on climate change. While past reform proposals have stalled, pressure is mounting as conflicts test the UN’s ability to act.

What comes next

Tinubu’s statement signals Nigeria’s intent to push reform discussions more forcefully in the months ahead. The country has positioned itself as a regional leader in Africa and hopes to build alliances with other nations seeking change.

For now, the UN faces the challenge of restoring trust while balancing the competing demands of powerful and developing states. Whether reforms will move forward remains uncertain, but Nigeria made clear it expects action rather than words.

“The world is changing fast,” Shettima said. “The United Nations must change with it or risk being left behind.”