Nigeria: Tinubu Told to Nominate Jonathan for UN Secretary-General

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying a Vanguard report from Yenagoa dated 30 July 2026, reported that the African Policy and Research Consortium has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to put forward former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan as a candidate for United Nations Secretary-General. In a statement, APRC convener Prof. Edward Agbai argued that Jonathan’s background in elected office and diplomacy makes him suitable for the UN’s top administrative and diplomatic post.

The consortium pointed to Jonathan’s tenure as Nigeria’s vice-president from 2007 to 2010 and president from 2010 to 2015, saying those roles gave him experience in governing a large and diverse country. It also cited his acceptance of defeat in the 2015 presidential election as an example of democratic conduct and respect for constitutional order.

According to the report, APRC said Jonathan has remained active in peace, democracy and election-related work after leaving office, including assignments linked to bodies such as the African Union, ECOWAS, COMESA, IGAD and the West African Elders Forum. The group said his preference for dialogue and consensus would be relevant to a UN leader expected to help manage conflicts and encourage international cooperation.

The publisher reported that APRC called on Nigeria’s federal government to begin outreach to African states and other partners to build support, while acknowledging that any successful bid would require wide international backing. For context, the UN Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council, making both regional support and major-power diplomacy central to any candidacy.