Nigeria’s new Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to addressing long-standing grievances fueling insecurity in Nigeria and across the wider region.
Ibrahim made the remarks after presenting his Letter of Credence to the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, at the UN headquarters in New York on Monday.
He said the President believes Nigeria’s strengthened diplomatic presence at the UN would provide essential support in tackling security challenges both locally and internationally.
According to him, Tinubu is focused on resolving religious conflicts and other crises rooted in longstanding grievances, describing such efforts as critical to strengthening peace and safety.
The envoy noted that Nigeria is also committed to mobilising global support to address domestic security concerns, while confronting broader threats in the Sahel and West African sub-region.
He emphasised that resolving internal grievances and regional instability remains the foundation of sustainable security.
Ibrahim described his appointment as coming at a critical time, marking Nigeria’s return to active diplomatic engagement at the UN after more than two years without a substantive permanent representative.
“President Tinubu is confident that, as Nigeria’s Ambassador and Head of Mission to the UN, I will work hand-in-hand with you to tackle the issues we share,” he said.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for reforms within the United Nations system, particularly the push for stronger African representation on the Security Council. He added that granting Africa a permanent seat would be a significant historical milestone capable of enhancing global security.
The ambassador also highlighted ongoing economic reforms by the Tinubu administration, noting that while such policies may involve short-term challenges, they are laying the groundwork for long-term growth.
“All reforms in the short run come with one form of pain or the other, but the results have been remarkable,” he stated.
Ibrahim further said Nigeria would continue to champion international tax reforms, climate action, and multilateral cooperation to promote global peace and development, while maintaining a leading role in advancing the United Nations’ core objectives in Africa.
He also underscored the importance of global peace to economic stability, referencing the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz to the world economy.
In his remarks, Guterres emphasised Nigeria’s importance in strengthening multilateralism and global cooperation.
The envoy also met with the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, who welcomed his assumption of duty and noted that Nigeria’s absence at the UN had been felt.
Ibrahim was accompanied to the credentials presentation by Ambassador Syndoph Endoni, Ambassador Bola Asaju, and Brigadier-General Edward Koleoso, Nigeria’s Defence Adviser to the UN.
Nigeria became the 99th member of the United Nations on October 7, 1960, shortly after gaining independence on October 1, 1960, and has since played a significant role in UN peacekeeping operations and advocacy for institutional reforms.
