Tinubu Receives $14bn UN Budget from Nigeria's UN Representative

President Bola Tinubu has received the United Nations’ proposed budget for 2027 from Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim.

Mr Ibrahim, who leads the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Matters, presented the seven-volume document to Tinubu after it was submitted by UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.

He called the presentation historic, saying it is the first time in 66 years that Nigeria has chaired the committee responsible for the UN’s budget and administration.

“This is the first time in 66 years that Nigeria will chair the Budget and Administration Committee. It is the first time, and we do not know when it will happen again in history.

“So, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making history by being able to receive this budget. He is the first Nigerian president in 66 years to receive the UN budget from the United Nations,” he said.

The envoy explained that the proposed regular budget is about $3.4 billion, while the peacekeeping budget is around $8.5 billion. He combined both figures to total about $14 billion, which is roughly between N36 trillion and N40 trillion.

“It is not a small matter for a country to receive the entire UN budget.

“I am happy that the president has received the seven volumes of the proposed budget.”

Mr Ibrahim mentioned that the document is still a proposal. It will go through negotiations and approval by member states before any spending can happen.

“It is the proposal submitted to member countries. Thereafter, the budget is discussed in detail, the figures are adjusted, and the final budget is approved before spending commences,” he explained.

He did not want to say what benefits Nigeria would get from the budget, citing ongoing negotiations with other committee members.

“As for Nigeria, I do not want to discuss what Nigeria will get from the budget. That would be going too far, because my colleagues and I are still discussing it,” he said.

Mr Ibrahim also pointed out the scale of UN spending, mentioning a $260 million conference centre being built in Kenya.

“A lot is happening. As of today, the United Nations is building a $260 million conference centre in Kenya. You can see what that means,” he said.

Nigeria officially took over the chairmanship of the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which handles the organisation’s budget and administrative matters, on 3 September.

As the chair of the Fifth Committee, Nigeria will oversee discussions on the organisation’s budget, financial governance, human resources, and efficiency. They will also look at the resources needed to carry out mandates approved by Member States.

NAN reports that the Fifth Committee has an important role within the General Assembly. Decisions on peace and security, development, human rights, and humanitarian operations all depend on financial and administrative support.

Its recommendations directly influence how the General Assembly finances and implements its mandates.