President Bola Tinubu has said that Africa deserves to have two permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.

Tinubu made the demand on Wednesday at the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Japan.

“Africa’s voice must be heard. Africa must have two permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council with full rights and privileges. This is not a favour. It is a historic imperative. It is justice,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu added that at TICAD 9, he made Nigeria’s position clear on the country honouring its Armed Forces not only for the battles they fight, but for the peace they help the citizens build.

“We will keep honouring them by addressing the root causes of insecurity.
Peace is not just the absence of war. It is justice. It is opportunity. It is inclusion,” the president said.

“That is where our reforms are focused. Our mission is to win both the battle and the future.”

President Tinubu also welcomed Japan’s $5.5 billion commitment to Africa, saying that true partnership requires a shift from aid to investment, from charity to co-creation, from pledges to shared purpose, and from marginalisation to fair representation.