Gambari Urges Consensus-Building as Nigeria Chairs UN Budget Committee

By Atlantic Reports

Former Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. Ibrahim Gambari has urged Nigeria to build broad diplomatic support as it leads the United Nations committee responsible for administrative and budgetary matters.

Gambari, a former UN Under-Secretary-General, said the chairmanship of the Fifth Committee placed Nigeria in an important negotiating role at a time of financial pressure on the organisation.

He spoke following Secretary-General António Guterres’s presentation of the proposed 2027 UN programme budget.

According to Gambari, this is Nigeria’s first chairmanship of the committee since joining the UN on October 7, 1960, as its 99th member.

“Since we became the 99th member on October 7, 1960, this is the first time that Nigeria has assumed the chairmanship of the Fifth Committee,” he said.

From Appointment to Effective Leadership

Gambari said he attended the budget presentation to support Nigeria’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Ibrahim Jimoh, who chairs the committee.

“It’s a great honour to give moral support to Nigeria’s chairmanship of the Fifth Committee, particularly at a difficult time like this,” he said.

He described Jimoh’s emergence within approximately four months of assuming office as evidence of Nigeria’s ability to secure significant diplomatic positions.

However, Gambari stressed that the appointment’s value would depend on effective leadership, preparation and consultation among countries with differing financial and political interests.

The Fifth Committee considers administrative and budgetary questions that shape the financing of UN programmes and operations. Chairing it requires facilitating agreement among member states, rather than determining spending unilaterally.

Building a Negotiating Base

Gambari said Jimoh had sought his advice on handling the budget negotiations.

“What’s the value of experience if you don’t share it for the benefit of our country?” he asked.

He recommended beginning consultations within Nigeria’s established diplomatic constituencies before widening engagement.

“Ensure that he carries along the ECOWAS group of ambassadors, then the African Group, then the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77 plus China,” he said.

Gambari argued that support from these groups would provide a foundation for discussions with other influential blocs.

“That’s how you build a consensus, because you have to have a base,” he said.

He also advised sustained engagement with the European Union, the five permanent members of the Security Council and other influential member states.

Budget Negotiations Remain the Test

Gambari said those consultations would be essential to reconciling national priorities and securing resources for the organisation.

The supplied account did not detail the proposed budget, disputed spending areas or agreements reached following its presentation.

Nigeria’s chairmanship offers diplomatic visibility and responsibility. Its substantive contribution will be assessed through the fairness of the negotiating process and its ability to help member states reach workable decisions on UN funding.

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