The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has called for the proper positioning of Africa in the United Nations’ main decision-making system, stating that the black continent with over 1.4 billion population should not be relegated.
Speaking at the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments in Geneva, Switzerland, Speaker Abbas also told the global audience about the efforts made by the House under his leadership to ensure gender balance in politics and government in Nigeria.
The Speaker noted that the conference was held amid global upheavals, including geopolitical conflicts, climate disasters, and stark inequalities, with Africa bearing “the heaviest impact of these challenges.”
At the conference themed: ‘A World in Turmoil: Parliamentary Cooperation and Multilateralism for Peace, Justice, and Prosperity for All,’ the Speaker stressed that the Nigerian parliament has embraced parliamentary cooperation among countries, especially with its legislative diplomacy.
He said: “Nigeria’s parliamentary resolve extends to global advocacy. We call for urgent reform of the UN Security Council and Bretton Woods system to reflect Africa’s 1.4 billion-strong demographic reality, moving the continent from the margins to the centre of global decision-making.
“In this turbulent era, the 10th House of Representatives and the Nigerian National Assembly align themselves with global parliaments to forge a future where cooperative multilateralism triumphs, delivering peace, justice, and inclusive prosperity for all.”
He said the world currently faces significant setbacks, noting that “Africa bears the heaviest impact of these challenges: conflicts in Sudan displace millions; coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger destabilise the Sahel; and climate change, despite Africa’s mere 4 per cent of global emissions, causes widespread destruction.”
He also noted that Nigeria, Africa’s democratic and economic powerhouse, struggles with banditry and economic hardships, forcing half of its population into poverty, and climate-induced desertification and flooding.
“Nonetheless, Nigeria remains committed to peace, justice, and prosperity through its parliamentary leadership,” he said.
Speaker Abbas stated that the 10th House, under his leadership, champions multilateral cooperation, establishing numerous parliamentary friendship groups to achieve this objective.
Through ECOWAS, he said, the Nigerian parliament counters democratic disruptions by advocating for parliamentary oversight to restore constitutional order. He added that the leadership of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) fosters continental collaboration on trade, security, and democratic norms, amplifying Africa’s voice.
The Speaker stated: “Domestically, we align global commitments with local needs and priorities. Nigeria’s review of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) targets a 10 per cent export boost by 2030. In the face of the climate crisis, we advocate for the implementation of the Climate Change Act (2021) amendments, demanding that the $100 billion global climate finance pledge be fulfilled. We scrutinise loans, champion transparent tax regimes, and challenge an inequitable financial order.
“Inclusion is our cornerstone. The Reserved Seats for Women Bill tackles Nigeria’s 7% female parliamentary representation gap, fostering gender equity. The Students’ Loan Act (2024) empowers 1.2 million youth annually with access to education, addressing social inequities exacerbated by global turmoil.
“Our digital governance laws, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023) and AI regulation bills, harness Nigeria’s $5 billion tech ecosystem for equitable innovation, ensuring technology serves the public good.”