Nigeria has fulfilled only 36% of its assessed contributions to the United Nations regular budget over the past five years—remitting just $10.96 million of the $30.53 million required between 2020 and 2024—leaving an outstanding balance exceeding $19.57 million .
According to records from the UN Controller presented to the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, Nigeria’s shortfall contributes to the broader funding stresses confronting the world body. Globally, only $1.8 billion of the $3.5 billion UN regular budget for 2025 had been collected by early June, marking a nearly 50% deficit
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that ongoing shortfalls jeopardize the organization’s capacity to finance peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic missions. He described the situation as a “severe liquidity crisis,” emphasizing the urgent need for structural reforms to ensure the UN’s effectiveness
Major contributors to the UN budget are also in arrears: as of April 30, 2025, the United States owed roughly $1.5 billion, China $597 million, Russia $72 million, among others . Nigeria’s position highlights growing concerns about its financial standing on the international stage.
Experts say such under-payment undermines Nigeria’s image as a reliable global partner and could weaken its diplomatic influence within multilateral forums. They urge the government to address outstanding dues promptly to reinforce its commitment to international cooperation.
In response, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has noted the country is prioritizing payment of its UN obligations while managing domestic fiscal pressures. No definitive timeline for the settlement of full dues has yet been provided.
As major UN reform discussions unfold, Nigeria’s performance on budget contributions may influence its leverage in shaping the organization’s future directio
