At the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Nigeria once again made a strong case for securing a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru emphasized the country’s long-standing commitment to international peacekeeping, highlighting its participation in 41 peacekeeping missions and the deployment of over 200,000 troops since its first operation in Congo in 1960.
Nigeria has played a pivotal role in regional peace, particularly in nations like Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan.
Badaru argued that it is only fair for Africa, and especially Nigeria, to gain a permanent seat on the Security Council to better represent the continent’s interests in global peace and security decisions. He also called for bolstering the African Standby Force and developing professional armies to tackle terrorism, particularly in the Sahel region.
This push comes at a time when the UN is under increasing pressure to reform its structures to reflect modern global realities, ensuring more inclusivity and regional representation.
