Tinubu Receives Proposed 2027 UN Budget After 66 Years

By Paul Joseph

President Bola Tinubu has received the proposed 2027 United Nations budget, with Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, describing the presentation as the first of its kind involving a Nigerian president in 66 years.

Ibrahim, who chairs the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee responsible for administrative and budgetary matters, presented the seven-volume document to Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.

Speaking to journalists after the presentation, Ibrahim said he brought the document to Nigeria because the country is a member of the United Nations and participates in deliberations on the organisation’s budget.

He explained that the proposed budget was transmitted through the UN system for consideration by member states before being presented to the Nigerian president.

According to him, the presentation represents a notable moment in Nigeria’s engagement with the international organisation.

The proposed budget covers the UN’s regular operations and peacekeeping activities. Ibrahim cited approximately $3.4 billion for the regular budget and $8.5 billion for peacekeeping operations.

However, he put the total proposed budget at about $14 billion, although the two figures he provided amount to $11.9 billion. The discrepancy was not clarified in his remarks.

Ibrahim emphasised that the document remains a proposal and has not received final approval from UN member states.

He said the figures could be reviewed and adjusted during deliberations before the final budget is adopted and spending begins.

On the potential benefits Nigeria could receive from the process, Ibrahim declined to provide specific details, noting that discussions on the proposed budget were still ongoing.

He also referenced the construction of a $267 million UN conference centre in Kenya as an example of the organisation’s investment in facilities in member states.

The proposed 2027 budget is expected to undergo further scrutiny and possible adjustments before UN member states approve the final figures and authorise spending.