President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday in Yokohama, renewed Nigeria’s call for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations Security Council, insisting that Africa deserves permanent representation, including veto powers.
Speaking at the plenary on Peace and Stability during the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), the President declared:
“Africa deserves two permanent seats, with all the privileges, including the Right of Veto. It also deserves additional non-permanent seats as provided in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.”
Tinubu stressed that inclusivity, diversity, and the rule of law remain Africa’s greatest strengths, and urged world leaders to embrace fresh thinking in the quest for peace and stability.
Tinubu also used the forum to commend the Nigerian Armed Forces for their resilience and victories in the fight against insurgency and criminality, while reaffirming his administration’s determination to address the root causes of insecurity through stronger institutions and economic reforms.
“Our brave Armed Forces can win any number of battles, but we do justice to their heroism only when we, as government, are courageous in tackling not just terror, but also the underlying causes of terror,” he said.
The President lamented the persistence of conflicts across Africa despite progress, citing recent peace accords in Congo as proof that linking mediation with investment and economic considerations could yield sustainable results.
“We should be under no illusions about the scale of our task. But neither should we underestimate our successes. New models of mediation tied to investment are working, and underline the need for fresh thinking,” he added.
Tinubu further cautioned against overreliance on aid, urging instead for market-driven cooperation, stronger trade relations, and institutional reforms.
On technology, he called for international collaboration to ensure innovation becomes “a tool for peace and trust, not division and alienation.”
Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had pledged fresh financial support for Africa, unveiling a framework that will make available up to $5.5 billion through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with the African Development Bank.
The initiative, he said, would catalyse private sector investment across the continent, with a focus on sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration.
Ishiba urged African nations to partner with Japan even as his country grapples with its own challenges of a declining population and shrinking farmland.
“In 75 years, Japan’s population would have been halved. Meanwhile, Africa’s youthful population holds great promise. To unleash that potential, Africa must deepen industrialisation, create employment, and expand its manufacturing base,” he said.
AloJapan.com