Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on Tuesday was elected chair of the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which oversees the UN’s budgetary and administrative matters.
The appointment comes as the UN confronts a budget shortfall exceeding $1.8 billion after reductions in foreign-aid flows, a financing gap that officials say heightens pressure on the organization’s operating plans and programme delivery.
“This period requires the United Nations to manage deficit financing arising from converging complexities that place significant burdens on revenue,” Ibrahim Jimoh said in his acceptance remarks.
“Given heightened tensions, a prompt, critical, and innovative strategy is required to create opportunities within this intricate environment.”
A former senator and chair of Nigeria’s inter-parliamentary relations committee, Jimoh Ibrahim said he would draw on his domestic budget-and-appropriations experience to build consensus among member states.
“As a member of the Budget and Appropriation Committee in the 10th Senate, and chair of the inter-parliamentary relations, I hope to utilise my wealth of experience in forging consensus,” he noted.
He also invoked President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms in Nigeria as a model for institutional change at the UN.
“Mr. President, as your student in the reforms class, be assured that those teaching slides will reflect in the budget, appropriations and human resources of the United Nations,” Jimoh Ibrahim added.
The diplomat thanked the UN for the trust placed in him and pledged to promote strategic stewardship and sound corporate governance as the Fifth Committee considers cuts, reallocations and measures to bridge the financing shortfall.
“During this pivotal time in history, we look to the founding fathers of the United Nations for guidance in fostering collaboration and cooperation toward our shared goals.
“Our aim is to support a vibrant and sustainable United Nations, where in the 5th Committee, we focus on stewardship and corporate governance-prioritising a thoughtful, hope-driven budget for all of humanity over merely transactional cost management.
“I am excited to collaborate with each of you and to learn from your leadership at every level,” the new chairman said.
