Nigeria Demands Permanent Seat On UN Security Council

Nigeria has called for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), citing its extensive contributions to global peacekeeping efforts. The country has participated in 41 peacekeeping missions worldwide, deploying over 200,000 troops.

Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru made the case during his address at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sunday. Speaking at the summit on “Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security,” Badaru emphasized the need for a reformed UN Security Council to include permanent African representation.

“Nigeria has remained unequivocal in its commitment to international peacebuilding and security since its first engagement in Congo in 1960,” Badaru said. He noted that the country had participated in peacekeeping missions across Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, and Sudan.

Badaru argued that Nigeria’s consistent contributions to peacekeeping operations qualify it, and Africa as a whole, for a permanent seat on the UNSC. He stressed the importance of building professional African armies to combat terrorism and advocated for operationalizing the African Standby Force.

“We recognize the need for Africa to build strong and professional armies to defeat terrorism,” Badaru added. He called for comprehensive strategies to address transnational crime and arms trafficking, particularly in the Sahel region.

Badaru also urged the international community to intensify efforts to control the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, warning that their availability to non-state actors exacerbates insecurity.

In his speech, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, echoed the call for a permanent African seat on the Security Council. He emphasized the importance of reforming the international financial system to promote transparency and inclusivity, advocating for comprehensive debt relief for African nations.

Tuggar highlighted that only 16% of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track to be achieved by 2030, urging developed nations to fulfill their commitments to the Global South. He also suggested that if the SDG targets are not met by 2030, the deadline should be extended.

Both ministers emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to global peace, security, and sustainable development, calling for urgent reforms in international governance structures.