Tinubu becomes first Nigerian President to receive UN budget

By Tolulope Oke

President Bola Tinubu has become the first Nigerian president to receive the United Nations’ proposed budget, according to Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, who described the presentation as a historic first in 66 years.

Ibrahim presented the seven-volume document, containing the proposed $14 billion budget for 2027, to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

The Nigerian envoy, who chairs the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee responsible for budgetary and administrative matters, said the development marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s participation in the global organisation.

“This is the first time in 66 years that Nigeria will share budget in the committee. The first time. So I don’t know when we’re going to do that again in history,” Ibrahim told journalists.

He explained that the document had been presented to his committee by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and that he considered it appropriate to formally deliver a copy to the Nigerian president.

“President Bola Tinubu is making history to have been able to receive that budget, being the first President in 66 years that will receive such budget from the United Nations, and it’s not a small issue for a country to receive the whole UN budget,” he stated.

Giving details of the proposal, Ibrahim said approximately $3.4 billion was earmarked for the UN’s regular activities, while $8.5 billion was allocated to peacekeeping operations.

He put the overall proposed budget at about $14 billion, although the two figures he disclosed amounted to $11.9 billion.

The ambassador stressed that the budget had not been approved and would undergo further examination, negotiations and possible adjustments by member states.

“The budget still has to be approved. This is a proposed budget. It’s at the proposed stage,” he explained.

Asked what Nigeria stood to gain from the UN’s spending plans, Ibrahim declined to give specific figures, saying discussions were still ongoing.

He cited the construction of a $267 million UN conference centre in Kenya as an example of how the organisation invests in facilities across member states.

The proposed budget will be subjected to further scrutiny by the UN General Assembly before final approval and implementation.