Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation and the Lessons for Nigeria
By
Caesar Jadu Payi
The 81st United Nations General Assembly is taking place against the backdrop of wars, economic uncertainty, technological disruption and declining confidence in multilateral institutions. Its them; “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All”—therefore carries particular significance for Africa.
What is striking about African leaders’ interventions is their assertive and increasingly self-confident tone. Africa is speaking less as a recipient of international assistance and more as a continent demanding agency, fair representation and mutually beneficial partnerships.
Kenya’s President William Ruto captured this changing posture when he declared:
_“Africa does not come to plead. We come to propose.”_
He pointed to Africa’s vast mineral resources, agricultural potential, youthful population and a market of more than 1.5 billion people as assets capable of contributing to global food, energy and supply-chain security.
The message is clear: Africa must move from exporting raw materials to creating value, industries and jobs from its own resources.
*The burden of the global financial system*
Ruto also highlighted the financial challenges confronting developing countries. He cited global public debt of about $102 trillion in 2024, with developing countries paying approximately $1 trillion in interest that year. He noted that 46 developing countries spend more on debt interest than on either health or education.
This reinforces Africa’s demand for reform of the global financial architecture. But it also carries a domestic lesson: African countries must strengthen institutions, manage debt responsibly, mobilise domestic resources and improve governance.
Africa must demand reform globally while strengthening itself at home.
*Security must move from reaction to prevention*
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio brought another important dimension to the discussion. He noted that global military expenditure reached almost $2.9 trillion in 2025, arguing that military action alone cannot create lasting peace.
For Africa, this is significant. Insecurity is often connected to poverty, unemployment, exclusion and weak institutions.
For Nigeria, therefore, security must increasingly become intelligence-led and preventive, with stronger early warning, community policing, conflict mediation, border intelligence, inter-agency cooperation and rapid response.
The best security intervention may sometimes be the crisis that intelligence prevents from happening.
*From dependency to partnership*
Ghana’s President John Mahama has described the desired relationship between Africa and the international community as “pragmatic interdependence.”
Africa does not need isolation, but neither should it remain dependent on external systems for critical needs such as medicines, technology and finance.
This is an important lesson: international partnerships should strengthen African capacity, not perpetuate African dependency.
*A greater voice requires greater capacity*
Nigeria, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, renewed the call for at least two permanent African seats on the UN Security Council, alongside five non-permanent seats.
Africa has 54 UN member states, yet no permanent seat on the Council.
But representation alone will not produce influence. Africa also needs stronger diplomatic coordination, economic capacity, technological expertise and institutional strength to use that representation effectively.
*The message for Nigeria and Africa*
The larger message from UNGA81 is that Africa is gradually moving from dependency to agency.
African leaders are demanding a greater voice in global affairs, but they are also being challenged to build the capacity required to exercise that voice.
The lesson for Nigeria is equally clear: global influence begins with domestic strength.
We must strengthen our institutions, improve security prevention, invest in human capital and technology, add value to our natural resources and build partnerships that expand our productive capacity.
Ultimately:
«Restoring trust is about delivery. Managing transformation is about preparedness. And delivering for all requires institutions that actually work for the people.»
Africa’s future will depend not merely on how loudly it speaks at the global table, but on what it brings to that table.
_Caesar Jadu Payi is a graduate of History and International Studies from the University of Jos and holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Coventry University, United Kingdom. He also possesses a Certificate in Conflict Management and Early Response Skills from the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and has attended a course on Strategic Anticipation and Crisis Management organized by Peace and Development Consult in collaboration with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru. His research interests include Diplomacy, African Governance, and Global Security._
