Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Ibrahim Jimoh, has pledged to prioritize accountability, reduce waste and ensure timely approval of the organization’s multibillion-dollar budget.
Jimoh made the pledge in an interview following the presentation of the UN’s proposed 2027 program budget by Secretary-General António Guterres in New York.
He described Nigeria’s leadership of the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which oversees administrative and budgetary matters, as a significant milestone in the country’s diplomatic engagement.
“This is the first time in 66 years that Nigeria is chairing the budget and administrative committee of the United Nations,” he said.
According to him, the responsibility places Nigeria at the center of decisions affecting the organization’s finances, institutional reforms and implementation of programs worldwide.
Jimoh identified waste reduction, accountability and prudent financial management as key priorities of his chairmanship.
“The current budget process prioritizes reducing waste and ensuring accountability,” he said.
He stressed that financial discipline must include proper accounting for resources already spent and the management of credits due to member states.
The ambassador said particular attention was being paid to credits arising from assessed contributions and expenditure, including funds that should be returned or credited to contributing countries.
Jimoh disclosed that the UN’s available cash balance stood at approximately $ 501 million, describing the financial responsibilities under consideration as enormous.
He said the proposed regular program budget stood at approximately 3.3 billion dollars, while peacekeeping operations accounted for an estimated 8.6 billion dollars.
The figures, he said, underscored the need for stronger financial scrutiny and accountability in managing resources contributed by member states.
On capital expenditure, Jimoh highlighted a UN infrastructure project in Nairobi, Kenya, valued at approximately 68 million dollars, as one of the issues requiring the Committee’s attention.
He added that the Committee would also consider funding arrangements for the Resident Coordinator System and programs supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.
Jimoh, however, identified the early submission of budget documents as one of the significant achievements recorded under his leadership.
He said the achievement followed his insistence that the UN Secretariat provide the necessary documentation before budget deliberations could begin.
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According to him, timely submission of reports is essential to preventing prolonged negotiations and avoiding the usual year-end rush to approve the organization’s budget.
The ambassador reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s historic chairmanship produced measurable improvements in the UN’s financial administration.
The Fifth Committee examines the UN’s financial and administrative requirements and makes recommendations to the General Assembly, which has the final authority over the organization’s budget.
