Nigeria has warned against United Nations budget cuts that could undermine development, peacekeeping, and the interests of developing countries, insisting that efficiency must not compromise the organization’s responsibilities.
The warning came during the Fifth Committee deliberations on the proposed 3.302 billion dollars UN programme budget for 2027.
Nigeria’s Deputy Permanent Representative, Amb. Martin Adamu, delivered the national statement at the meeting chaired by the country’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Ibrahim Jimoh.
Adamu said Nigeria supported meaningful institutional reforms but insisted that restructuring must strengthen rather than weaken the organisation’s capacity to deliver.
“Reforms must, however, remain not only member state-driven, transparent, and inclusive, but must also strengthen the organization’s capacity to deliver on its mandates,” Adamu said.
The Nigerian representative warned against adopting cost-saving measures that could undermine development programmes and disadvantage countries in the Global South.
Adamu demanded adequate financing for the UN’s development, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and conflict-prevention responsibilities.
The envoy insisted that proposed restructuring measures should undergo comprehensive and transparent assessments before implementation.
He said such assessments must consider financial savings alongside staffing implications, operational consequences and the organization’s ability to implement approved mandates.
Adamu particularly emphasised the importance of protecting equitable geographical representation within the UN Secretariat.
On development coordination, Nigeria advocated sustainable financing for the UN Resident Coordinator System.
“Assessed contributions provide the most predictable, sustainable, and equitable basis for financing the resident coordinator system,” Adamu declared.
According to him, predictable financing would also reduce institutional fragmentation and improve the UN’s effectiveness at the country level.
Adamu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to constructive negotiations and timely approval of the proposed budget.
“Our shared objective is to enable the General Assembly to adopt the budget within the prescribed timeframe,” the Nigerian diplomat added.
Meanwhile, Jimoh, who chaired the proceedings, announced that Nigeria had fully paid its assessed contribution to the UN’s regular budget for 2026.
“I must also use this opportunity to thank the president of my country, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had also, yesterday, fully paid his commitment to the United Nations,” Ibrahim said.
Nigeria has also made substantial payments towards its UN peacekeeping budget obligations, with both payments amounting to approximately 6.3 million dollars.
The Committee Chairman urged other countries to fulfill their financial commitments promptly and without conditions.
Guterres, presenting the budget, warned that financial instability continued to threaten the organization’s effectiveness despite ongoing administrative reforms.
The UN chief disclosed that the proposed budget represented a reduction of approximately 40.8 million dollars compared with the approved 2026 budget.
