President Bola Tinubu has received copies of the proposed 2027 United Nations budget, in what Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, described as a historic milestone for the country.
Ibrahim presented the seven-volume budget document to the President at the State House in Abuja, following its submission by the UN Secretary-General to the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which handles administrative and budgetary matters.
Speaking to journalists after the presentation, Ibrahim said the occasion marked the first time in 66 years that a Nigerian president had received the proposed UN budget through the process.
He explained that, as a member of the United Nations, Nigeria was entitled to receive the document for consideration and review.
“This is the presentation of the United Nations proposed budget for 2027 that was presented to me by the General Assembly, by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the Fifth Committee, and that budget has seven volumes,” Ibrahim said.
He added that bringing the document to Nigeria and presenting it to the President was the appropriate step, given his role in the committee overseeing the budget.
According to Ibrahim, Tinubu’s receipt of the document represents a significant moment in Nigeria’s engagement with the international organisation.
He described the development as an opportunity for the country to gain greater insight into the UN’s financial priorities and administrative operations.
Ibrahim said the proposed budget covers the organisation’s regular activities and peacekeeping operations, with approximately $3.4 billion earmarked for the regular budget and $8.5 billion for peacekeeping.
He estimated the overall budget at about $14 billion, although the two figures he provided for the main components total $11.9 billion.
The Nigerian envoy, however, emphasised that the figures remain provisional and are subject to further discussions, possible adjustments and approval by UN member states.
“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.
When asked what direct benefits Nigeria might receive from the proposed budget, Ibrahim said discussions were still ongoing and declined to provide specific details.
He nevertheless pointed to the construction of a $267 million UN conference centre in Kenya as an example of the organisation’s investment in facilities within member states.
The proposed 2027 budget will now undergo further examination and negotiations before UN member states reach a final decision on the allocations and authorise spending.
The presentation highlights Nigeria’s participation in the UN’s budgetary process, although the proposed figures remain subject to approval.
