News
Africa’ Voice At The UNGA: Does It Resonate Globally ?
By Emeka Monye
As the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) convenes at its headquarters in New York, world leaders gather to address pressing global issues, including climate change, conflict in the Middle East, hunger, the Palestinian crisis, and the implications of artificial intelligence.
These topics dominate the discourse, setting the stage for discussions that shape the future of international relations.
However, amidst the high-level talks and diplomatic maneuvering, a glaring paradox emerges: Africa, a continent of immense cultural, economic, and geopolitical significance, remains curiously peripheral to the global conversation.
The UNGA is a premier platform for world leaders to voice their perspectives and shape global policies.
Yet, when African leaders take the podium, the conference hall often appears half-empty, a stark contrast to the packed audiences that gather when their Western or Asian counterparts speak.
This disparity is more than just a visual observation; it reflects a deeper issue—the persistent marginalization of Africa in global affairs.
The UNGA prides itself on being a forum where all member states have an equal voice.
In theory, every nation, regardless of size or economic power, has the opportunity to contribute to global decision-making. However, reality tells a different story.
The most influential voices at the UNGA often belong to powerful nations like the United States, China, Russia, France, Japan, and Germany.
These countries not only set the agenda but also dictate the pace and direction of the discussions.
Their interests, priorities, and perspectives dominate the conversation, while the concerns of smaller or less economically powerful nations, particularly those in Africa, are frequently sidelined.
This dynamic raises a critical question: Does Africa really matter in world affairs?
Despite its vast natural resources, growing economies, and significant cultural influence, Africa’s role in shaping global policies remains limited.
African leaders may deliver impassioned speeches at the UNGA, but their words often fall on deaf ears.
The decisions made by global powers frequently disregard Africa’s interests, whether in matters of trade, security, or development.
Several factors contribute to Africa’s marginalization in global affairs. One major challenge is the continent’s fragmented political landscape.
Unlike the European Union, which speaks with a unified voice on many global issues, Africa’s 54 countries often have divergent interests and priorities.
This lack of unity weakens the continent’s collective bargaining power on the world stage.Another challenge is economic dependency.
Many African countries rely heavily on foreign aid, loans, and investment from Western nations and international financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
This dependency limits their ability to assert their interests independently and reduces their leverage in global negotiations.
Additionally, Africa’s potential is often overshadowed by narratives of poverty, conflict, and underdevelopment. While these issues are undeniably significant challenges, they do not define the entirety of Africa’s story.
The continent is home to vibrant economies, innovative entrepreneurs, and a youthful population that could drive global change.
Yet, these positive narratives rarely capture the attention of the international community in the same way that crises do.
Despite these challenges, there are opportunities for Africa to assert its influence on the global stage. One potential pathway is through regional integration and cooperation.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), for example, aims to create a single, unified market for Africa, boosting intra-continental trade and economic growth.
By working together, African nations can strengthen their economic power and increase their bargaining position in global affairs.
Another avenue for change is through strategic partnerships. Africa can build alliances with emerging powers in the Global South, such as Brazil, India, and Southeast Asian nations, to amplify its voice on issues like climate justice, debt relief, and sustainable development.
These partnerships can help Africa play a more proactive role in shaping global policies that affect its interests.
For Africa to matter more in world affairs, both African leaders and the international community must rethink their approaches.
African leaders need to prioritize unity, economic self-reliance, and strategic engagement with global partners.
At the same time, the international community must recognize Africa’s potential and value its contributions to solving global challenges.
The UNGA provides a platform for this reimagining. By giving Africa a seat at the table—and not just a token seat but a meaningful one—world leaders can tap into the continent’s vast resources and perspectives.
Africa’s youthful population, entrepreneurial spirit, and cultural dynamism are assets that can drive global innovation and progress.
In conclusion, while Africa may currently occupy a peripheral role in global affairs, there is immense potential for change.
By working together, building strategic partnerships, and asserting its interests more forcefully, Africa can become a more influential player on the world stage.
The question is not whether Africa matters; it is how Africa can matter more.
The answer lies in the hands of African leaders and its global partners.
Emeka Monye Is A Journalist
President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The ceremony followed the Senate’s confirmation of Amupitan’s appointment last week after a rigorous screening session on October 16.
At the swearing-in, President Tinubu tasked Amupitan with safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and strengthening INEC’s institutional capacity.
“As the chairman of INEC, your nomination and confirmation reflect the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and legislative arms of government. This marks the start of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust you will approach your duties with integrity, dedication, and patriotism,” Tinubu said.
Highlighting Nigeria’s democratic progress over 25 years, the President emphasized the need for continuous innovation and reform to maintain free, fair, and credible elections. He urged Amupitan to ensure transparency and public trust throughout the entire electoral process—from voter registration and campaigning to voting and counting.
Amupitan, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), arrived at the State House on Thursday dressed in traditional white agbada and gold cap ahead of the formal ceremony. He was accompanied by presidential aides.
During his Senate screening, the 58-year-old nominee pledged to restore credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process by prioritizing reforms, including strengthening the Electoral Act to resolve inconsistencies in election timelines and enhance transparency.
“We must conduct elections where even the loser congratulates the winner fairly,” Amupitan told senators, emphasizing the need to rebuild voter confidence.
He also clarified his neutrality by denying any involvement in President Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court, stating, “I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any party.”
Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the sixth substantive INEC chairman since the commission’s establishment. He is expected to immediately begin the transition process at INEC headquarters in Abuja following his swearing-in.
Profile
Born on April 25, 1967, the 58-year-old Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State. He is also an alumnus of the university.
He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.
After completing primary and secondary education, he attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the bar in 1988.
Amupitan earned an LLM at UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, amid an academic career that began in 1989, following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in Bauchi from 1988 to 1989.
He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, a position he holds in conjunction with being the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
Among the academic positions he has held at UNIJOS are: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008).
Outside of academics, Amupitan serves as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014), among other roles. He was a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja(1996-2004).
Amupitan is the author of many books on law, such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles(2008); Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008); Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria(2013), Principles of Company Law(2013) and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
He is married and has four children.
Dangote Group has denied owning the truck that crushed a pregnant woman, a child, and six others to death in an accident in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The company issued the clarification in a statement on its X account on Wednesday.
The statement followed reports that a cement-laden truck suffered brake failure and rammed into traders and other road users.
Reacting, Dangote Group said the truck involved in the tragic incident does not belong to the group or any of its subsidiaries.
It added that vehicle registration records confirm the truck is owned and operated by an independent logistics company with no affiliation to Dangote Group.
“Dangote Group has refuted reports circulating on social media and in some online platforms linking it to a truck involved in a road accident in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
“The company wishes to make it categorically clear that the truck involved in the unfortunate incident does not belong to Dangote Group or any of its subsidiaries.
“Verified vehicle registration details confirm that the truck with Plate No. JJJ 365 XB is owned and operated by an independent logistics company with no affiliation to Dangote Group,” the statement reads.
News
VIDEO: Sowore Arrested at Federal High Court Premises, Abuja, After Meeting Nnamdi Kanu.
“The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office,” the policeman said.
Police operatives have arrested former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Sowore was forcibly taken away by armed police officers from the Federal High Court premises in Abuja on Thursday, October 23, 2025, shortly after attending the court session of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore, who has been leading campaigns for Kanu’s release, was confronted by security operatives who insisted he accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
Eyewitnesses disclosed that the officers surrounded him moments after he exited the courtroom, refusing to disclose specific details about his alleged offence.
When questioned by onlookers, one of the policemen stated that they were acting on the directive of the FCT Commissioner of Police.
“The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office,” the policeman said.
As of the time of filing this report, the reason for Sowore’s arrest and his current whereabouts remain unclear.
Credit: Punch
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