President Bola Tinubu has reiterated Nigeria’s push for reforms at the United Nations, stressing the need for Africa to gain permanent representation on the Security Council.

Speaking on Wednesday at the plenary on peace and stability during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, Tinubu argued that the continent deserves two permanent seats with full rights, including veto power, as well as additional non-permanent seats, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.

“Africa’s demand for fair and equitable representation on the UN Security Council is both just and overdue,” he said.

The President also commended the Nigerian armed forces for recent strides against insurgency and insecurity, describing their victories as a foundation for stability and growth. However, he warned that sustainable peace requires addressing poverty, inequality, and social exclusion alongside military gains.

“Our troops can win battles, but governments must be bold enough to tackle not only terrorism itself but the conditions that fuel it,” he noted.

Tinubu highlighted peace agreements in the Democratic Republic of Congo as proof that linking mediation to economic investment can produce lasting results. He emphasized that while competition over resources has historically fueled conflict in Africa, new strategies connecting development with peace-building are beginning to show promise.

“This approach is working,” he said, “and it demonstrates the need for fresh thinking to secure peace and stability.”

The President further urged African leaders and development partners to embrace cross-border, market-driven collaborations, insisting it is time to move beyond what he called “tired appeals for aid and handouts.”