Africa is rich, doesn’t need aid – Jimoh Ibrahim

Africa possesses immense wealth and does not need aid from other continents to achieve development, stated Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the UN. Speaking at a reception honoring Ahunna Eziakonwa, Senior Adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary-General, Ibrahim strongly criticized the prevalent view of Africa as a continent solely reliant on external assistance.

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Africa consists of 25 percent of the world population. The future of the world is in Africa. That’s something to talk about.

"Africa consists of 25 percent of the world population. The future of the world is in Africa. That’s something to talk about," Jimoh said. He declared his refusal to support the narrative of aid for Africa, emphasizing the sovereignty of African nations. "Africa is made up of sovereign nations; we are independent, and we cannot afford to trade our sovereignty for aid."

Instead of aid, Ibrahim stressed the critical need for "trade, collaboration, cooperation and partnership" to foster human and material development across the continent. He commended former President Donald Trump for promoting trade and investment as alternatives to aid, a program he believes helps preserve sovereignty and independence. "I will not be here to plead for any aid to any African country. We don’t need it. We need collaboration and cooperation and partnership towards human and material development."

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I will not be part of the people that are talking about aid to Africa.

Ibrahim also raised concerns about Africa's absence from permanent seats on the UN Security Council. He noted that African nations were still under colonial rule when the UN's power structure was established in 1945. "Over the past 60 years, Nigeria has been a member of the United Nations... but we haven’t got this permanent seat. Africa doesn’t have a permanent seat, and Africa is about 25 percent of the entire world population," he stated, suggesting this lack of representation might contribute to global insecurity issues.

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Africa is made up of sovereign nations; we are independent, and we cannot afford to trade our sovereignty for aid.

He urged Eziakonwa to use her influential position to advocate for Africa's rightful place in the UN Security Council. Ibrahim also conveyed President Bola Tinubu's congratulations and pride in Eziakonwa's appointment, as well as commendations for Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed.

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What Africa needs is trade, collaboration, cooperation and partnership.