Nigeria has reiterated its call for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, citing its significant contributions to global peacekeeping efforts.
The country highlighted its participation in 41 peacekeeping missions and the deployment of over 200,000 Nigerian troops in UN operations over the decades.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, made this appeal during his address at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sunday.
He stressed that Africa deserves permanent representation on the Security Council, stating, “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.”
Speaking at the summit under the theme ‘Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security,’ Badaru underscored Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to global peace efforts.
Since its first mission in the Congo in 1960, Nigeria has played a critical role in peacekeeping, notably in conflict zones across West Africa, including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Sudan.
“Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in field missions across Africa and has contributed significantly in terms of finance, logistics, troops, and civilian experts,” Badaru noted.
He argued that these contributions justify Nigeria’s call for Africa to have a permanent seat on the Security Council for the promotion of global peace and security.
Badaru also called for the operationalisation of the African Standby Force, emphasizing the need for Africa to build professional armies to combat terrorism.
“We recognise the need for Africa to build strong and professional armies, to, among other things, defeat terrorism,” he said, while urging international support to combat the proliferation of small arms, particularly in the Sahel region. “The time for action is now,” he warned.
In a related address, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, also urged world leaders to prioritize sustainable development in Africa.
Tuggar highlighted the fact that only 16% of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track to be achieved by 2030.
He called for extended deadlines and more robust international cooperation, particularly from developed nations, to meet these targets.
Tuggar’s remarks also included calls for reforms to the international financial system, comprehensive debt relief, and increased support for local production in Africa.
He stressed the importance of Africa’s representation on the Security Council, noting, “We must take action-oriented measures to ensure a permanent seat for Africa.”
Addressing issues related to climate change, Tuggar emphasized the need for a just transition away from fossil fuels and advocated for substantial financial support to assist the Global South in meeting climate goals.
He also raised concerns about the digital divide and the need for technology sharing to ensure inclusive development.
In conclusion, both Badaru and Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to advancing global peace, security, and sustainable development, calling for collective international efforts to address the continent’s pressing challenges.
