A first in 66 years: Nigeria takes delivery of the UN’s 2027 budget

In global diplomacy, the person who looks after the budget has real influence. On Monday, Nigeria got a clear reminder that one of its own currently holds that role at the United Nations.

Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim is Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN and has chaired the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which handles administrative and budgetary matters, since 3 September. He presented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the UN’s proposed 2027 budget, a seven-volume document submitted by Secretary-General António Guterres.

A historic handover

“He is the first Nigerian president in 66 years to receive the UN budget from the United Nations,” Ambassador Ibrahim said.

The proposal covers a regular budget of about $3.4 billion and a peacekeeping budget of about $8.5 billion.

• 66 years since independence, and the first time a Nigerian president has received the UN budget, according to Ambassador Ibrahim
• 7 volumes in the Secretary-General’s proposal
• ~$3.4bn proposed regular budget
• ~$8.5bn proposed peacekeeping budget

Still a proposal

Ambassador Ibrahim noted that the document is still a proposal and that it now goes to member states for consideration. That is the work of his committee, where countries examine and negotiate spending before a final budget is adopted.

Why young Nigerians should care

For a generation that has grown up hearing about Nigeria’s place in the world, this is a concrete example of it. A Nigerian diplomat is chairing the committee that scrutinises how the world’s main multilateral body spends its money, including on peacekeeping that affects many African countries.

It will not change prices in the market, but it is a sign of the country’s standing abroad.

The handover came on a busy Monday for the Presidency, which also hosted the City Boy Movement and other youth support groups at the State House the same day.