The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has urged Nigeria to spearhead Africa’s quest for a restructured global order.

Mr Guterres made the call during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, on the sidelines of the ongoing 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The UN Secretary-General and Mr Shettima discussed key developments in Nigeria, as well as the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.

The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration in advancing global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.

The UN Chief described Nigeria as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.

Mr Guterres praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions despite facing its own security challenges.

He said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism place it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.

“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” Mr Guterres said.

He commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of Mr Tinubu’s administration, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments had strengthened its continental standing.

Responding, Mr Shettima thanked the UN secretary-general for his leadership in promoting global peace.

The vice president said Africa has benefitted immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.

He stated, “We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions.”

Mr Shettima reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.

He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Mr Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across the African continent.
(NAN)