Godsent Ogbebor
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has called for Africa to have a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, stating that Nigeria is well-suited to represent the continent in the global body.
According to sources, Tuggar made the call during a panel discussion on “Africa’s Momentum” at the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit, currently taking place in Davos, Switzerland, from January 20 to 24, 2025.
He criticized the exclusion of Africa from the Security Council, pointing out that nearly 60 percent of the Council’s resolutions address issues affecting the continent, yet Africa has no permanent representation.
Tuggar argued that many of the Council’s decisions, such as deforestation laws that ban the purchase of goods from deforested land in Africa, negatively impact the continent. He also highlighted the lack of accountability for companies contributing to deforestation in African countries.
The session, moderated by Bronwen Maddox, Director of Chatham House, included other notable speakers such as Mohammed Nafti, Tunisia’s Foreign Minister; Therese Wagner, Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and Matia Kasaija, Ugandan Minister of Finance.
Tuggar emphasized Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s development and global affairs, citing its support for South Africa’s liberation struggle and its contributions to the African Union’s Peace and Security Council. He noted that Nigeria’s strategic autonomy and nonalignment under President Bola Tinubu’s administration strengthen its case for a permanent seat.
He also mentioned the Technical Aid Corps initiative, through which Nigeria has sent professionals across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, demonstrating the country’s commitment to the development of the Global South.
“Nigeria’s good relations with its neighbors, large population, and economic strength position it as a suitable representative of Africa on the global stage,” Tuggar said.
Tuggar stressed the need to view Africa as a diverse and powerful region, rather than a single entity. He urged developed nations to fulfill their commitments made during the Rio Summit, particularly on the transfer of technology to developing countries.
The discussion also touched on the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, which Tuggar described as an opportunity to advocate for Africa’s inclusion in global governance structures.
With Africa comprising 54 nations, Tuggar argued that the continent’s voice must be heard at the highest levels of decision-making, and Nigeria is well positioned to lead this representation.
