Secretary-General António Guterres has called on Nigeria to spearhead Africa’s push for a restructured global order, saying the country is strategically placed to guide the continent toward greater global influence.
Guterres made the appeal during a bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The UN chief described Nigeria as a nation with the demographic strength, democratic stability and resource base required to shape Africa’s future role in an evolving international system.
He commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu for implementing wide-ranging economic reforms, noting that the measures have strengthened Nigeria’s standing across the continent.
Guterres also praised Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising West Africa and the Sahel, despite persistent domestic security challenges confronting the country.
According to him, Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to multilateral cooperation positions it as a natural leader in ongoing discussions about reforming global governance structures.
Talks between both leaders focused on expanding collaboration between Nigeria and the United Nations in promoting economic growth, peace, security and sustainable development across Africa.
They also reviewed coordinated humanitarian responses to crises in conflict-affected regions, particularly within West Africa and the Sahel belt.
In his remarks, Shettima expressed appreciation for Guterres’ stewardship of the United Nations, noting that Africa has benefited from his tenure despite internal reforms within the global body.
The Vice President reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to multilateralism and stronger partnerships with international institutions in addressing shared global challenges.
Shettima reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding demand for comprehensive reform of the UN system to reflect present-day geopolitical realities.
He stressed that Africa must secure stronger representation in global decision-making bodies, insisting that Nigeria merits a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the United Nations’ support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its expanding leadership role across the continent.
