Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker Urges Global Powers to Grant Permanent UN Security Council Seat to Africa
By Exponent News Akure, 12th February,2025
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has called on world powers to grant Africa, particularly Nigeria, a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. He made the appeal during his address at the Heads of Parliaments meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, preparatory to the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, scheduled for July.
Kalu, representing Nigeria at the gathering, emphasized the need for a redefined multilateralism that better accommodates the needs of developing countries. His statement highlighted that the current multilateral approach, largely driven by the Global North, leaves the Global South to grapple with persistent developmental challenges. He argued for increased representation and more inclusive participation in global decision-making spaces.
The Deputy Speaker pointed out that multilateralism, which involves collaboration among multiple countries to tackle global issues like climate change, economic development, and human rights, must expand beyond its current framework to include more voices from the Global South. Citing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Kalu noted that while the SDGs aim to address global issues, they may not align with the immediate priorities of developing nations still striving for industrialization and economic growth.
“It is essential to redefine what we aim to achieve with multilateralism,” Kalu said. “The Global South faces unique challenges, and we need to ensure that multilateralism reflects the priorities of developing countries, not just those of the Global North.”
He added that the principles of inclusivity and cooperation must underpin any multilateral approach, emphasizing that, without these principles, multilateralism would remain a mere theoretical concept. “We cannot expect developing countries to fully embrace SDG targets when they have not yet overcome the fundamental challenges of industrialization and economic growth,” he said.
Kalu further advocated for a review of the United Nations Charter to amend Article 108, which currently excludes Africa from a permanent seat on the Security Council. He argued that such a change is crucial for the future of effective multilateralism.
“Africa, burdened by years of debt, faces unique challenges that must be addressed differently within the multilateral framework,” Kalu said, stressing the need for a more inclusive and equitable global policy-making structure.
He concluded his remarks by thanking Rt. Hon. Tulia Ackson, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Martin Chungong, the IPU Secretary-General, and other parliamentary leaders for their engagement in the discussions.
The Deputy Speaker’s call for inclusive multilateralism and greater representation of the Global South in global governance will continue to shape Nigeria’s stance on international policy and diplomacy in the coming years.
Press Release signed by:
Levinus Nwabughiogu
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker,
House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria
