Nigeria demands permanent seat in UN Security Council

Nigeria has made its case for proper representation on the United Nations Security Council.

It said having contributed to at least 41 peacekeeping missions globally and deploying over 200,000 Nigerian troops in UN operations, it deserves a seat on the global security organ.

“It is on this basis that Nigeria continues to call for the reform of the United Nations Security Council to give just representation to Africa permanently for inclusivity and deepening of global peace and security,” said the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, when he addressed the 79th United Nations General Assembly, in New York, USA, on Sunday.

Badaru spoke at the summit of the Future Interactive Dialogue 2 with the theme ‘Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security.’

The Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.

Its 15 permanent members are charged with ensuring international peace and security, recommending the admission of new UN members to the general assembly, and approving changes to the UN Charter.

The UNSC also establishes peacekeeping operations, enacts international sanctions and authorises military operations.

At the summit, Nigeria’s defence minister said, “Nigeria has remained unequivocal in its commitment to international peacebuilding and security, since the first engagement of its troops in the Congo in 1960.

“To date, Nigeria has contributed to 41 peacekeeping operations worldwide, with over 200,000 Nigerian troops serving in UN peacekeeping missions.

“Under the regional and sub-regional cooperation, Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in field missions in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Sudan and Sierra Leone, among others, and has contributed a lot in terms of finance, logistics, troops and civilian experts, making her one of the most significant African troops and police contributors to the United Nations missions.”

He argued that this qualifies Nigeria and Africa for a just representation “on a permanent basis for inclusivity and deepening of global peace and security.”

Badaru stressed the importance of building professional African armies to combat terrorism on the continent and urged for operationalising the African Standby Force.

He also highlighted the need for comprehensive strategies to tackle transnational crime and illegal arms trafficking, particularly in the Sahel region.

“We recognise the need for Africa to build strong and professional armies, to, among other things, defeat terrorism.

“Nigeria, calls for the operationalisation of the African Standby Force, and the provision of requisite support and resources to ensure the upgrade, take-off, and effectiveness of a centre of excellence in Africa on issues of counter-terrorism.

“We reiterate the call to strengthen regional and sub-regional cooperation, build capacities of member states, promote cooperation and understanding, as well as defuse tensions, and seek peaceful settlement of disputes to resolve conflicts, especially in the Middle East and Ukraine,” Badaru asserted.

The minister restated Nigeria’s commitment to combating transnational organised crime.

He also emphasised the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that include prevention, early detection, protection, and law enforcement to address the rising alliances between bandits and terrorists.

“We must scale up our efforts,” he added, highlighting the alarming trend of kidnappings for ransom and acts of piracy.

Badaru urged the international community to intensify efforts to control the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in conflict zones, particularly in the Sahel region.

He warned that unrestricted access to illicit arms by non-state actors exacerbates insecurity and instability, saying, “The time for action is now.”

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