Biden: Nigeria deserves permanent UN security council seat

US President Joe Biden says his country is committed to seeing Africa have two permanent seats at the United Nations (UN) security council.

Yusuf Tuggar, the minister of foreign affairs, said Biden stated his stance on Nigeria’s quest for a permanent UN security council seat during a phone call to President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday evening.

Tuggar said the 30-minute phone call between the two leaders was against the backdrop of the release of Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of finance crime compliance, on October 23.

The minister quoted the US president as saying that he did not see why Nigeria should not have a permanent seat at the UN security council.

“The two leaders also discussed the issue of permanent seats, and the United Nations security council and President Biden once again assured that the United States is committed to seeing Africa having two permanent seats,” Tuggar added.

Africa has long clamoured for equal representation in what is believed to be the most powerful UN body.

Each year, the UN general assembly elects five new members from different geographical zones for a two-year term on the council.

Africa has three rotational seats on the 15-member council.

On September 12, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the UN, said: “The problem is these elected seats don’t enable African countries to deliver the full benefit of their knowledge and voices to the work of the council, to consistently lead on the challenges that affect all of us — and disproportionately affect Africa.”

Addressing the 79th UNGA session in New York last month, Mohammed Badaru, minister of defence, said Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to international peace and security should make the nation a candidate for one of the seats.

Tuggar said Biden reiterated his country’s position over the phone call with Tinubu.

“He also reiterated that he does not see any reason why one of those seats should not belong to Nigeria, given its position in Africa, its stature, and its importance,” the minister told reporters.

Tuggar added that Nigeria has been pushing to ensure that it is included in the G20.

He noted that it was also a topic of discussion between Biden and Tinubu.