By George Omagbemi
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has delivered a stark warning to world leaders at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, cautioning against a global order where propaganda can blur the line between victims and aggressors and shield perpetrators from justice.
Shettima delivered the warning on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in New York, while presenting President Bola Tinubu’s national statement at the UNGA General Debate.
The unusual and striking part of Nigeria’s message was its focus on the power of information in conflicts. Shettima warned that when propaganda becomes powerful enough to protect perpetrators and make the truth difficult to establish, the fundamental promise of the United Nations is put at risk.
“We should all be afraid of a world in which we can no longer tell the victim from the aggressor,” he said.
He added that when investment in propaganda shields perpetrators from justice “to the point that telling the truth becomes a crime,” the promise of the UN stands betrayed.
Beyond the warning, Nigeria used the UN platform to renew its demand for major reforms to the international system. Shettima called for the restructuring of the UN Security Council, arguing that the current distribution of power still reflects the realities of 1945 rather than those of 2026.
Nigeria is seeking at least two permanent seats for Africa, with the rights and responsibilities of permanent membership, including veto power for as long as it exists, as well as five non-permanent seats.
Shettima also called for an immediate end to conflicts and stronger reliance on diplomacy, international law and collective responsibility.
Addressing global security, he said Nigeria’s experience confronting Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups had demonstrated that military victories alone cannot guarantee lasting peace. He linked sustainable security to education, economic opportunity, accountable governance and protection of human rights.
Nigeria also reaffirmed its position on climate action, energy transition, artificial intelligence and reform of the international financial system.
The address ultimately placed truth, accountability and institutional reform at the centre of Nigeria’s message to the international community, with Shettima warning that the credibility of global institutions depends not only on their ability to prevent conflict, but also on their ability to distinguish victims from aggressors and protect truth from manipulation.
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