The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has urged Nigeria to spearhead Africa’s push for a restructured global order, describing the country as well-placed to lead the continent toward greater global influence.
Guterres commended the reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s stabilisation efforts within the Sahel and the Economic Community of West African States, despite ongoing domestic security pressures.
He made the remarks on Friday during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the margins of the 39th summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa.
ALSO READ AU Summit 2026: Shettima departs Abuja for Addis Ababa
ALSO READ Nigeria secures permanent seat on the board of AU Central bank
According to a statement issued by Shettima’s media aide, Guterres said Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity, resource base, and commitment to multilateral engagement position it to play a leading role in shaping the evolving global architecture.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he was quoted as saying.
The discussions also covered Nigeria’s expanding regional leadership and broader developments in the country. Guterres praised the administration’s economic restructuring and security commitments, noting they have enhanced Nigeria’s continental standing.
Both sides explored avenues for strengthening Nigeria–UN cooperation on economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN chief for his role in advancing global peace, saying Africa had benefitted from his tenure even as the UN undergoes internal reforms.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the Vice President said.
He reiterated Nigeria’s call for comprehensive reform of the UN system to reflect shifting global realities, stressing the need for stronger African representation in decision-making structures and restating Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Both leaders pledged deeper cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming UN support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing role in advancing peace, security and development across the continent.
