MURIC Condemns Nigeria’s UNGA Position on Palestine, Netanyahu Speech

The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has criticised Nigeria’s position at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, particularly its handling of the Palestinian question and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address.

In a statement issued on Saturday, MURIC Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the organisation was concerned that Nigeria’s national statement did not mention Palestine.

The group also criticised Nigeria’s delegation for not joining dozens of other countries that walked out of the UN General Assembly chamber when Netanyahu began his address on Thursday.

MURIC described Nigeria’s position as disappointing and called on the Federal Government to explain its approach to the Palestinian issue at the international gathering.

The group said Nigeria had previously expressed support for Palestinian rights and a two-state solution, making its absence from the 2026 statement particularly significant in its view.

Nigeria’s national statement, delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, focused on issues including United Nations reform, conflicts in Sudan and other regions, international humanitarian law, economic development, climate finance and security.

The statement reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for diplomacy, international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. It also called for stronger protection of civilians and humanitarian access in conflict zones.

However, Palestine, Gaza and the two-state solution were not mentioned in the published text of the address.

MURIC said Nigeria should have used the UN platform to reaffirm its position on Palestinian rights and the need for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The organisation also questioned Nigeria’s decision not to participate in the walkout during Netanyahu’s speech.

Reports from the UN General Assembly said dozens of delegations left the chamber before Netanyahu addressed the gathering. The Israeli prime minister used his speech to defend Israel’s military actions and criticise opponents of his government.

MURIC urged Nigerian civil society and human rights organisations to engage the government over its position and called for greater attention to the Palestinian issue in Nigeria’s foreign policy.

The controversy comes as the conflict in Gaza remains a major issue at the United Nations, with governments divided over Israel’s military campaign, Palestinian statehood and the international response to the humanitarian situation.