Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has called for enhanced collaboration between the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) to effectively address pressing issues of security, poverty, and counter-terrorism across the African continent. President Tinubu also stressed the importance of cooperation with the UN to protect African nations from illicit activities related to the continent’s vast mineral resources.
President Tinubu made these calls during a meeting held with the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, at the UN Headquarters Office in New York. President Tinubu highlighted the need for proactive measures to safeguard African countries against those illicitly exploiting and smuggling out the continent’s valuable mineral wealth.
Addressing the issue of human rights advocacy, President Tinubu expressed concerns about its misuse by wealthy and powerful nations to obstruct developing economies from decisively dealing with destructive individuals who oppress African nations. He stated, “We are facing the great challenge of scavengers ravaging our lands and oppressing our people in illegal mines—taking our gold and mineral wealth back to developed economies by stealth and violence against Nigerians.”
President Tinubu asserted that African nations would no longer accept situations where human rights advocacy impedes their efforts to combat oppression and exploitation. He emphasised the need for effective collaboration between African nations and the UN to address these challenges, stating, “We require your effective collaboration.”
President Tinubu also urged the United Nations to transform into the world’s leading action coordination centre rather than remaining primarily a forum for discussions on global issues. He expressed concerns that a significant portion of resources allocated to the world’s poorest countries was being spent on overhead and administrative costs, potentially undermining the organization’s humanitarian objectives.
“The United Nations must transform from being one of the world’s foremost talk shops to discuss global issues into becoming the world’s foremost action coordination centre, saying that a situation in which 70% of the resources being devoted to the world’s poorest countries are being spent and sent back out on overheads and administrative costs, will defeat the purpose and objectives of the organization where help is needed most,” President Tinubu asserted. He underlined the urgency of addressing the poverty and security challenges facing Africa and the importance of working together to achieve tangible results.
In response, the UN Secretary-General emphasized ongoing efforts to reform the UN system, addressing institutional weaknesses and decision-making disparities. He acknowledged the need to restructure the institution to better represent the contemporary global landscape. He also highlighted the issues of debt and Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) as areas of focus for reform.
Regarding the political consensus on these reforms, the UN Secretary-General mentioned, In the SDGs Summit, we believe we have a growing political consensus and now a declaration in this regard. We are pursuing this with great determination.”
Furthermore, the UN Secretary-General assured President Tinubu of the UN system’s full support for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in light of recent military coups in the West African sub-region. He recognised Nigeria’s vital role in the region and expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership.
“Mr. President, we have high expectations for your presidency after the many bold steps you have taken. Nigeria is an indispensable voice in the sub-region. We will give you every support needed for your success to be achieved. Your success is Africa’s success, and we wish you well,” the UN leader concluded, reaffirming the UN’s commitment to working closely with Nigeria and African nations to address critical challenges on the continent.
