Tinubu receives proposed $14bn UN budget as Nigeria marks first in 66 years

President Bola Tinubu has received the proposed 2027 United Nations budget, in what Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, described as the first time a Nigerian president has received the document through the process in 66 years.

Ibrahim, who chairs the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee responsible for administrative and budgetary matters, presented the seven-volume document to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

Speaking to journalists after the presentation, Ibrahim said the budget was submitted to the committee by the UN Secretary-General before being brought to Nigeria as a member state.

“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,” he said.

He described Tinubu’s receipt of the document as a significant moment for Nigeria, noting that the proposed budget covers the UN’s regular activities and peacekeeping operations.

According to Ibrahim, about $3.4bn has been earmarked for the organisation’s regular budget, while $8.5bn is proposed for peacekeeping operations.

He put the overall budget at approximately $14bn, although the two figures he cited total $11.9bn.

Ibrahim stressed that the document remains a proposal and must undergo further scrutiny, possible adjustments and approval by UN member states before spending can begin.

“The budget still has to be approved. This is a proposed budget. It’s at the proposed stage. You submit it to your country, and thereafter the budget is finally discussed. Figures are adjusted, and then finally the final budget is approved and spending commences,” he said.

Asked what Nigeria stood to gain from the proposed budget, Ibrahim said discussions were still ongoing and declined to identify specific benefits for the country.

He, however, cited the construction of a $267m UN conference centre in Kenya as an example of the organisation’s investment in facilities within member states.

The proposed 2027 budget will now proceed through further deliberations before the UN’s member states approve the final figures.