News Investigators/ Former Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Ibrahim Gambari, has praised Nigeria’s emergence as Chairman of the United Nations Budget Committee as a historic diplomatic achievement requiring strategic leadership and international consensus building.
Prof. Gambari, a former UN Under-Secretary-General, said that Nigeria’s assumption of the influential position was particularly significant at a time of mounting financial pressures and expanding global responsibilities.
He spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) following the presentation of the UN’s proposed 2027 programme budget by Secretary-General António Guterres.
The veteran diplomat recalled that Nigeria joined the United Nations on Oct. 7, 1960, becoming its 99th member state shortly after attaining independence.
“Since we became the 99th member on October 7, 1960, this is the first time that Nigeria has assumed the chairmanship of the Fifth Committee,” Gambari said.
The Fifth Committee, responsible for administrative and budgetary matters, plays a central role in determining how the UN finances its programmes and operations.
Prof. Gambari said he attended the budget presentation to demonstrate solidarity with Nigeria’s Permanent Representative, Amb. Ibrahim Jimoh, who chairs the Committee.
“It’s a great honour to give moral support to Nigeria’s chairmanship of the Fifth Committee, particularly at a difficult time like this,” he said.
Prof. Gambari described Jimoh’s emergence as Committee Chairman within approximately four months of assuming office as evidence of Nigeria’s capacity to secure important diplomatic leadership positions.
He said the achievement must now be translated into effective leadership capable of building agreement among countries with competing financial and political interests.
“First, leadership is the key,” Prof. Gambari declared, stressing that successful negotiations required preparation, consultation and an understanding of diplomatic alliances.
The former minister disclosed that Amb. Jimoh had personally sought his advice on navigating the complex negotiations surrounding the organisation’s budget.
“What’s the value of experience if you don’t share it for the benefit of our country?” Gambari asked.
He advised Jimoh to begin consensus-building within Nigeria’s traditional diplomatic constituencies before extending consultations to other influential international blocs.
According to him, the first priority should be securing the support of ambassadors from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Nigerian envoy should subsequently engage the African Group, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 and China, Gambari explained, he said.
“Ensure that he carries along the ECOWAS group of ambassadors, then the African Group, then the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77 plus China,” he advised.
Gambari said building such a foundation would strengthen Ibrahim’s negotiating position when engaging other major diplomatic and economic blocs.
“That’s how you build a consensus, because you have to have a base,” he emphasised.
He recommended sustained consultations with the European Union, the five permanent members of the Security Council and other influential Member States.
The former UN official said these engagements were essential to reconciling competing national priorities and securing sufficient resources for the organisation.
He maintained that Nigeria’s chairmanship offered an opportunity to demonstrate the country’s diplomatic maturity, negotiating capacity and commitment to effective multilateralism.
NAN