UN chief António Guterres backs Nigeria’s Security Council bid, praises Tinubu’s reforms and regional security leadership at AU Summit meeting.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Nigeria to take the lead in Africa’s push for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to guide the continent toward greater global influence.

Guterres made the remarks during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The UN chief praised the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and commended Nigeria’s leadership role in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.

According to Guterres, Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism give it a strategic advantage in shaping Africa’s future role in global affairs.

“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.

The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration in advancing global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.

Vice President Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in promoting global peace and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism.

“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” Shettima said.

He reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities, stressing that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures.

The Vice President declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its expanding leadership role in advancing peace, security and development across the continent. (Arise News)

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