Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, has argued that Africa is a wealthy continent capable of driving its own development without depending on foreign aid.
Ibrahim made the remarks during a reception held in honour of Nigeria’s Ahunna Eziakonwa, who was recently appointed Senior Adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres.
The diplomat rejected the description of Africa as a continent reliant on assistance from developed nations, insisting that African countries should focus more on economic partnerships, trade and cooperation.
“Africa consists of 25 per cent of the world’s population. The future of the world is in Africa,” Ibrahim said.
He added that African nations must protect their sovereignty and avoid exchanging it for financial assistance.
“Africa is made up of sovereign nations; we are independent, and we cannot afford to trade our sovereignty for aid,” he stated.
According to him, the continent’s priority should be building stronger economic relationships that promote human and material development.
“I will not be here to plead for aid for any African country. We don’t need it. We need collaboration, cooperation and partnership,” he said.
Ibrahim praised the United States’ shift towards trade and investment-driven relationships, describing the approach as a better alternative to traditional aid programmes.
He, however, noted that Africa’s participation in the US government’s “Trade over Aid” initiative remains limited, with only a few African countries joining the programme.
The Nigerian ambassador also raised concerns over Africa’s absence from the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, saying the continent’s large population and global importance deserve greater representation.
He explained that African countries were not involved in shaping the UN’s power structure in 1945 because many were still under colonial rule at the time.
“Over the past 60 years, Nigeria has been a member of the United Nations, but we have not got this permanent seat. Africa does not have a permanent seat despite representing about 25 per cent of the world’s population,” he said.
Ibrahim urged Eziakonwa to use her new position to support efforts towards securing permanent representation for Africa at the UN Security Council.
He also conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s congratulations to Eziakonwa, saying the president was pleased with her appointment and proud of her achievements.
The ambassador disclosed that he recently briefed Tinubu on Eziakonwa’s new UN role and discussed issues concerning Nigeria and Africa’s position at the global body.
Ibrahim also praised Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, saying Nigerians were proud of her accomplishments as the first woman to hold the position.
Speaking at the event, Mohammed congratulated Eziakonwa on her appointment, saying, “how many aspired to it but you earned it.”
Eziakonwa, who previously served as Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, thanked Nigeria for its support throughout her career, describing the country as the foundation of her achievements.
“Despite all its challenges, I am a product of Nigeria. The seed was sown in Nigeria,” she said.
Eziakonwa currently serves as UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Assistant Administrator.