In a significant display of support for African representation on the United Nations (UN) Security Council, U.S. President Joe Biden has voiced his backing for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat.
During a recent 30-minute phone conversation with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Biden shared his vision for expanding the council to include two permanent seats for African nations, reiterating the United States’ commitment to advancing Africa’s role in global governance.
The call, which took place on Tuesday evening, was initiated amid discussions on various international issues, including recent developments in global finance and regulatory affairs.
Notably, it followed the release of Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of finance crime compliance, on October 23.
The dialogue between the leaders, as reported by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, included strategic considerations around strengthening Nigeria’s influence within the UN framework.
Biden reportedly expressed his views directly to Tinubu, affirming that he sees no reason why Nigeria should not hold a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
This endorsement aligns with broader calls for restructuring the council to better reflect the global order, particularly with respect to emerging economies and regions that have historically been underrepresented.
Africa, with its unique challenges and contributions to peacekeeping, climate action, and economic growth, has long been a vocal advocate for expanded representation on the council.
According to Tuggar, Biden underscored the United States’ commitment to Africa’s inclusion in top decision-making spaces within the UN, specifying the council as a key area for reform.
“The two leaders discussed the issue of permanent seats and the United Nations Security Council. President Biden once again assured that the United States is committed to seeing Africa having two permanent seats,” Tuggar relayed to the media.
Currently, the UN Security Council comprises 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China.
The remaining ten are non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly, with three seats dedicated to African countries on a rotating basis.
However, these rotating seats lack the veto power that permanent membership confers, limiting Africa’s influence on pressing global security matters.
Biden’s endorsement for African representation comes amid growing calls for an overhaul of the UN’s power structure, which many believe does not accurately reflect the realities of the 21st-century world.
As Africa continues to rise as a formidable economic and geopolitical bloc, its leaders have consistently argued that permanent seats would bring more balanced and diverse perspectives to the council, enhancing its credibility and effectiveness in conflict resolution and global stability.
Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy and one of its most populous countries, has often been viewed as a leading contender for a permanent seat, given its role in regional peacekeeping and its growing influence on international platforms.
This latest support from the United States may provide new momentum to Africa’s long-standing demand for fair representation and set the stage for renewed discussions at the UN on security council reform.
In sum, Biden’s expressed support for Nigeria and Africa’s broader representation at the UN Security Council highlights a pivotal shift toward a more inclusive and equitable global governance structure.
With international calls growing louder for reform, Africa’s hope for permanent seats may soon be within reach, providing the continent with a stronger voice in shaping international policies that impact peace, security, and development on a global scale.
