# Nigeria-United Nations diplomatic engagement > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-united-nations-diplomatic-engagement > Updated: 2026-09-23T20:35:44.000Z. Sources: 34. Developments: 4. Nigeria has increased its engagement with the United Nations through both administrative leadership and high-level diplomatic representation. In early September, Nigeria assumed the chairmanship of the UN General Assembly Fifth Committee, also known as the Administrative and Budgetary Committee. Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim stated the nation intends to prioritize ‘transparency, accountability, and administrative reforms’ to ensure institutional efficiency and tangible benefits for Member States. Concurrently, Nigerian officials called for innovative funding models to address shrinking humanitarian and development budgets. By late September, Vice President Kashim Shettima led the Nigerian delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, representing President Bola Tinubu. During the assembly, Shettima formally called for significant reforms to the UN Security Council, demanding at least two permanent seats for Africa—including veto powers—and five non-permanent seats to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities and align with the Ezulwini Consensus. He argued that the current power structure, established in 1945, is outdated. Beyond diplomatic reform, Shettima engaged with the Nigerian diaspora in the United States to encourage investment in the nation’s economic renewal. He defended the administration’s structural reforms in agriculture, health, and technology, noting an increase in foreign reserves to over $55 billion and a 4.45 percent economic growth rate in the previous quarter. He also highlighted the disbursement of 125 billion naira to more than 1.29 million students via the Nigeria Education Loan Fund. Additionally, Shettima raised concerns regarding international debt servicing, advocating for reforms in the international financial architecture to improve access to concessional financing. On the global stage, Nigeria emphasized the need for diplomacy over coercion, increased climate finance, and international cooperation against terrorism, while reaffirming a commitment to net-zero emissions by 2060. ## Claims - Nigeria demands at least two permanent seats for Africa on the UN Security Council, including veto powers. (disputed by 6 sources) - Nigeria is calling for five non-permanent seats for Africa on the UN Security Council. (disputed by 6 sources) - Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered President Bola Tinubu's national statement at the 81st UN General Assembly. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Nigeria's foreign reserves have expanded to over 55 billion dollars. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Nigeria's economy grew by 4.45 percent in the last quarter. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Nigeria Education Loan Fund has disbursed 125 billion naira to over 1.29 million students. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Nigeria has committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2060. (single source) - Heavy debt servicing is limiting the ability of developing countries, including Nigeria, to invest in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-23: Nigeria demands permanent UN Security Council seats for Africa At the 81st UN General Assembly, Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima demanded at least two permanent seats for Africa on the UN Security Council and urged diaspora investment in Nigeria's economy. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigerias-vice-president-shettima-attends-un-general-assembly ### 2026-09-23: Nigeria advocates for UN reform and proposes mandatory military training At the 81st UNGA, Nigeria called for UN Security Council reforms and prioritized diplomacy. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Christopher Musa proposed mandatory military training for all Nigerians. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigerias-defence-minister-proposes-compulsory-military-training ### 2026-09-20: Nigeria to lead UNGA 81 delegation under Vice President Shettima Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UN General Assembly, pushing for UN Security Council reform and increased international investment in the country. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-west-nigerian-governors-to-present-regional-peace-plan-at-unga ### 2026-09-03: Nigeria strengthens UN ties and assumes budgetary committee chairmanship Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to the UN and has assumed the chairmanship of the UN General Assembly Fifth Committee, pledging to drive budgetary reforms, transparency, and administrative efficiency. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-strengthens-un-ties-and-assumes-budgetary-committee-chairmanship --- Cite as: Nigeria-United Nations diplomatic engagement. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-united-nations-diplomatic-engagement