President Bola Tinubu has received the proposed 2027 United Nations budget in a move described as a historic first for Nigeria in 66 years.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, presented the seven-volume document to Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
Ibrahim said the event marked a rare moment in the country’s relationship with the international organisation.
The presentation comes as UN member states prepare to review the proposed spending plan before deciding on its final figures.
Ibrahim, who chairs the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, said the budget was first submitted by the UN Secretary-General.
The committee handles the organisation’s administrative and budget matters.
Speaking after the presentation, Ibrahim highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s role in the process.
“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 also described Tinubu’s receipt of the document as a major milestone for Nigeria.
“President Bola Tinubu is making history to have been able to receive that budget, being the first President in 66 years that will receive such budget from the United Nations,” Ibrahim added.
The proposed 2027 UN budget covers the organisation’s regular operations and peacekeeping activities.
Ibrahim said about $3.4 billion was proposed for the regular budget, while $8.5 billion was earmarked for peacekeeping.
He put the overall proposal at approximately $14 billion, although the two allocations he cited total $11.9 billion.
However, Ibrahim stressed that the figures remain proposals and have not received final approval.
“The budget still has to be approved. This is a proposed budget.
It’s at the proposed stage,” he said.
UN member states will now review the document, discuss possible changes and agree on the final spending plan. The approval process must be completed before the proposed funds can be used.
Ibrahim also cited a $267 million UN conference centre in Kenya as an example of the organisation’s investment in facilities within member countries.
The proposed 2027 UN budget will therefore remain subject to further discussions among member states.
