FULL TEXT: President Tinubu’s First Address At UN General Assembly
His speech touched on the need for Africa to scale the limitations of foreign exploitation to reach its lofty potential, among other issues.
By Oluwatobi Aworinde Updated September 20, 2023
President Bola Tinubu delivered his first address at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the early hours of Wednesday (7:55 pm New York time).
His speech touched on the need for Africa to scale the limitations of foreign exploitation to reach its lofty potential while attaining the prosperity inherent in the region’s democratic ideals, the importance of the international community seeing African development as a priority for investments, and the need to tackle the effects of climate change.
See the full speech below:
STATEMENT DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 78TH SESSION OF UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 18TH SEPTEMBER 2023
Mr. President,
Heads of State and Government, Secretary-General,
Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Mr. President,
On behalf of the people of Nigeria, I congratulate you on your well-deserved election as President of this Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
We commend your predecessor, His Excellency, Mr. Csaba Korosi for his able stewardship of the Assembly.
We also commend His Excellency, Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, for his work seeking to forge solutions to humanity’s common challenges.
This is my first address before the General Assembly. Permit me to say a few words on behalf of Nigeria, on behalf of Africa, regarding this year’s theme.
Many proclamations have been made, yet our troubles remain close at hand. Failures in good governance have hindered Africa. But broken promises, unfair treatment and outright exploitation from abroad have also exacted a heavy toll on our ability to progress.
Given this long history, if this year’s theme is to mean anything at all, it must mean something special and particular to Africa.
In the aftermath of the Second World War, nations gathered in an attempt to rebuild their war- torn societies. A new global system was born and this great body, the United Nations, was established as a symbol and protector of the aspirations and finest ideals of humankind.
Nations saw that it was in their own interests to help others exit the rubble and wasteland of war. Reliable and significant assistance allowed countries emaciated by war to grow into strong and productive societies.
The period was a highwater mark for trust in global institutions and the belief that humanity had learned the necessary lessons to move forward in global solidarity and harmony.
Today and for several decades, Africa has been asking for the same level of political commitment and devotion of resource that described the Marshall Plan.
We realize that underlying conditions and causes of the economic challenges facing today’s Africa are significantly different from those of post war Europe.
We are not asking for identical programs and actions. What we seek is an equally firm commitment to partnership. We seek enhanced international cooperation with African nations to achieve the 2030 agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.
There are five important points I want to highlight.
First, if this year’s theme is to have any impact at all, global institutions, other nations and their private sector actors must see African development as a priority, not just for Africa but in their interests as well.
Due to both longstanding internal and external factors, Nigeria’s and Africa’s economic structures have been skewed to impede development, industrial expansion, job creation, and the equitable distribution of wealth.
If Nigeria is to fulfil its duty to its people and the rest of Africa, we must create jobs and the belief in a better future for our people.
We must also lead by example.
To foster economic growth and investor confidence in Nigeria, I removed the costly and corrupt fuel subsidy while also discarding a noxious exchange rate system in my first days in office. Other growth and job oriented reforms are in the wings.
I am mindful of the transient hardship that reform can cause. However, it is necessary to go through this phase in order to establish a foundation for durable growth and investment to build the economy our people deserve.
We welcome partnerships with those who do not mind seeing Nigeria and Africa assume larger roles in the global community.
The question is not whether Nigeria is open for business. The question is how much of the world is truly open to doing business with Nigeria and Africa in an equal, mutually beneficial manner.
Direct investment in critical industries, opening their ports to a wider range and larger quantity of African exports and meaningful debt relief are important aspects of the cooperation we seek.
Second, we must affirm democratic governance as the best guarantor of the sovereign will and well-being of the people. Military coups are wrong, as is any tilted civilian political arrangement that perpetuates injustice.
The wave crossing parts of Africa does not demonstrate favour towards coups. It is a demand for solutions to perennial problems.
Regarding Niger, we are negotiating with the military leaders. As Chairman of ECOWAS, I seek to help re-establish democratic governance in a manner that addresses the political and economic challenges confronting that nation, including the violent extremists who seek to foment instability in our region. I extend a hand of friendship to all who genuinely support this mission.
This brings me to my third crucial point. Our entire region is locked in protracted battle against violent extremists. In the turmoil, a dark channel of inhumane commerce has formed. Along the route, everything is for sale. Men, women and children are seen as chattel.
Yet, thousands risk the Sahara’s hot sand and the Mediterranean’s cold depths in search of a better life. At the same time, mercenaries and extremists with their lethal weapons and vile ideologies invade our region from the north.
This harmful traffic undermines the peace and stability of an entire region. African nations will improve our economies so that our people do not risk their lives to sweep the floors and streets of other nations. We also shall devote ourselves to disbanding extremist groups on our turf.
Yet, to fully corral this threat, the international community must strengthen its commitment to arrest the flow of arms and violent people into West Africa.
The fourth important aspect of global trust and solidarity is to secure the continent’s mineral rich areas from pilfering and conflict. Many such areas have become catacombs of misery and exploitation. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has suffered this for decades, despite the strong UN presence there. The world economy owes the DRC much but gives her very little.
The mayhem visited on resource rich areas does not respect national boundaries. Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, CAR, the list grows.
The problems also knocks Nigeria’s door.
Foreign entities abetted by local criminals who aspire to be petty warlords have drafted thousands of people into servitude to illegally mine gold and other resources. Billions of dollars meant to improve the nation now fuel violent enterprises. If left unchecked, they will threaten peace and place national security at grave risk.
Given the extent of this injustice and the high stakes involved, many Africans are asking whether this phenomenon is by accident or by design.
Member nations must reply by working with us to deter their firms and nationals from this 21st century pillage of the continent’s riches.
Fifth, climate change severely impacts Nigeria and Africa. Northern Nigeria is hounded by desert encroachment on once arable land. Our south is pounded by the rising tide of coastal flooding and erosion. In the middle, the rainy season brings floods that kill and displace multitudes.
As I lament deaths at home, I also lament the grave loss of life in Morocco and Libya. The Nigerian people are with you.
African nations will fight climate change but must do so on our own terms. To achieve the needed popular consensus, this campaign must accord with overall economic efforts.
In Nigeria, we shall build political consensus by highlighting remedial actions which also promote economic good. Projects such as a Green Wall to stop desert encroachment, halting the destruction of our forests by mass production and distribution of gas burning stoves, and providing employment in local water management and irrigation projects are examples of efforts that equally advance both economic and climate change objectives.
Continental efforts regarding climate change will register important victories if established economies were more forthcoming with public and private sector investment for Africa’s preferred initiatives.
Again, this would go far in demonstrating that global solidarity is real and working.
CONCLUSION
As I close, let me emphasize that Nigeria’s objectives accord with the guiding principles of this world body: peace, security, human rights and development.
In fundamental ways, nature has been kind to Africa, giving abundant land, resources and creative and industrious people. Yet, man has too often been unkind to his fellow man and this sad tendency has brought sustained hardship to Africa’s doorstep.
To keep faith with the tenets of this world body and the theme of this year’s Assembly, the poverty of nations must end. The pillage of one nation’s resources by the overreach of firms and people of stronger nations must end. The will of the people must be respected. This beauty, generous and forgiving planet must be protected.
As for Africa, we seek to be neither appendage nor patron. We do not wish to replace old shackles with new ones.
Instead, we hope to walk the rich African soil and live under the magnificent African sky free of the wrongs of the past and clear of their associated encumbrances. We desire a prosperous, vibrant democratic living space for our people.
To the rest of the world, I say walk with us as true friends and partners. Africa is not a problem to be avoided nor is it to be pitied. Africa is nothing less than the key to the world’s future.
See a no bother to read wetin you wite ooh, e too long for my sanity abeg, I am a typical lazy Nigerian youth
But wait....first position dey for New York, third position(the mandate pursuer) dey for Bangladesh(tho we no know wetin hin go do for there), where second position dey?? Make him self go Ho Chi Mi City na
Please, I am begging Nigerians, give this man an honest backing and clean support so that it can be better for all.
President Tinubu has plans to move Nigeria forward. We should lend hands and hearts to his administration so Nigeria can achieve and make us all proud.
Nigeria Africa do not need weak ass licker as leader right now Tinubu did not raise dust with this speech but instead towed the same line most Africa leaders have dare to utter over the years . It now evidently clear that Tinubu is a place holder for the neon colonial masters namely US ,UK and France
The old saying you can't teach an old dog a new trick The new Africa is too fast for oldies like Tinubu.
We patriotic Nigerians are proud of you. Even on Nairaland our girls like Aquinandmore(f) and myself are dying for your touch, city boy.
The Agulu Mandate Thief a.k.a The Social Media Nuisnce would have gone to disgrace us there with his tiny voice in upper iweka accent forgetting his crammed fake stats
But wait....first position dey for New York, third position(the mandate pursuer) dey for Bangladesh(tho we no know wetin hin go do for there), where second position dey?? Make him self go Ho Chi Mi City na
Regarding Niger, we are negotiating with the military leaders. As Chairman of ECOWAS, I seek to help re-establish democratic governance in a manner that addresses the political and economic challenges confronting that nation, including the violent extremists who seek to foment instability in our region.
What about the troops you have already mobilised to go for war in Niger? What happened to all those yapping threatening by you and your zombies? Same problems in Niger Republic is worst back home as a result of your self inflicted egocentric and megalomanic obsession.
See a no bother to read wetin you wite ooh, e too long for my sanity abeg, I am a typical lazy Nigerian youth
But wait....first position dey for New York, third position(the mandate pursuer) dey for Bangladesh(tho we no know wetin hin go do for there), where second position dey?? Make him self go Ho Chi Mi City na
limeta: Nigeria Africa do not need weak ass licker as leader right now Tinubu did not raise dust with this speech but instead towed the same line most Africa leaders have dare to utter over the years . It now evidently clear that Tinubu is a place holder for the neon colonial masters namely US ,UK and France
The old saying you can't teach an old dog a new trick The new Africa is too fast for oldies like Tinubu.
How can he raise dust do you know how much of his loot is kept with those same.neo-colonists, you now want him to fight them on your behalf?
At least the man has achieved his life ambition everybody can rest small now, abi?
At the same time, mercenaries and extremists with their lethal weapons and vile ideologies invade our region from the north
Buhari and yeroba moozlims will not like this one
Foreign entities abetted by local criminals who aspire to be petty warlords have drafted thousands of people into servitude to illegally mine gold and other resources. Billions of dollars meant to improve the nation now fuel violent enterprises. If left unchecked, they will threaten peace and place national security at grave risk.
Then do something about it already . You’re the commander in chief and you’ve been there for over 3 months now . Foreign nations will not come over to help you stop illegal gold mining that’s happening in broad daylight. Why do African leaders seek help for everything
BabaRamota1980: Please, I am begging Nigerians, give this man an honest backing and clean support so that it can be better for all.
President Tinubu has plans to move Nigeria forward. We should lend hands and hearts to his administration so Nigeria can achieve and make us all proud.
This comment sounds like a wailing wailer and failure. Who's holding him back? Snatch it, grab it and run away with it. Let him keep running na, abi una think say national governance is same with regional governance. U guys portrayed Tinubu as Mr. Knows it all and that's d beginning of his failure. I remember when yaradua was elected and his first speech even torched his opponent (buhari)
How I wished someone asked the President of Lagos at least a question from the hogwash he just read. Bobo Chicago would have disgraced the entire nation again with his vegetable brain
Is it the man they told the youth he won’t be able to speak in international conferences Lolz 😂 He speak better than most university vc have attended their conference
