In a statement delivered at the 10th plenary of the Fifth Committee during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Nigeria appealed for adequate, predictable and sustainable financing for the Resident Coordinator System. The appeal, presented by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, underscored the system’s strategic importance for effective development coordination and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals across member states.
What was the core request?
Nigeria stressed that a well‑resourced Resident Coordinator System is essential to deliver coherent development support that aligns with national priorities. It argued that predictable funding is vital to retain institutional expertise and enable Resident Coordinators to fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to them by Member States.
Why is the system critical for Africa?
The statement highlighted that 53 of the 132 Resident Coordinator Offices worldwide are situated on the continent, accounting for roughly 40 % of the global footprint. This extensive presence, according to Nigeria, demonstrates the system’s pivotal role in assisting African countries to implement national development plans, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Which donors are being addressed?
Nigeria called on nations of the Global North to honour their development assistance pledges. It urged major donor countries to sustain and substantially increase their core contributions to the UN development system through predictable, multi‑year financing.
What broader message was conveyed?
"Strengthening the Resident Coordinator System is a shared objective in advancing multilateralism and enhancing the effectiveness of the UN development system," the statement read, reflecting Nigeria’s view that a robust coordination mechanism is indispensable for global development cooperation.
The appeal aligns with broader calls for multilateral financing reforms, emphasizing that reliable funding streams are necessary to maintain the system’s coordination capacities, retain skilled personnel, and ensure that development interventions remain coherent and country‑led.
What are the next steps?
Nigeria’s position will be taken up in subsequent deliberations of the Fifth Committee, where member states will discuss the proposed programme budget for 2027. The outcome is expected to influence how donor contributions are structured and could shape the future resource architecture of the UN development apparatus.
Overall, the Nigerian delegation’s message seeks to reinforce the link between predictable financing and the ability of the Resident Coordinator System to support nations—particularly in Africa—in achieving their development aspirations.