Nigeria renews call for UN Security Council seat and reform

Nigerian Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru has called for reform of the United Nations Security Council, saying Africa should be represented with permanent seats to enhance global stability.

Speaking at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Badaru highlighted Nigeria’s extensive contributions to UN peacekeeping operations.

Speaking at the Summit of the Future during the dialogue on “Strengthening Multilateralism for International Peace and Security,” Badaru said: “Since our first deployment in Congo in 1960, Nigeria has contributed to 41 peacekeeping missions worldwide.” He noted that over the past decades, more than 200,000 Nigerian troops have been deployed in UN operations.

Noting Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to international peacebuilding and security, Badaru said: “Nigeria has remained unequivocal in its commitment to international peacebuilding and security, since the first deployment of its troops to Congo in 1960.”

He further stressed the importance of Nigeria’s role in regional conflicts. “Under regional and sub-regional cooperation, Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in countries including Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Sudan and Sierra Leone.”

The defense minister seized the opportunity to press for reform of the UN Security Council, arguing that Africa’s exclusion from permanent membership undermines global peace efforts.

“Nigeria continues to push for reform of the United Nations Security Council to provide Africa with fair representation on a permanent basis for inclusiveness and deepening global peace and security,” he said.

Badaru also stressed the importance of strengthening African military capacity to combat terrorism.

He stressed the need for the operationalization of the African Standby Force (ASF) and the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in the fight against terrorism in Africa.

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

“Nigeria calls for the operationalization of the African Standby Force (ASF) and the provision of requisite support and resources to ensure the upgrading, launch and effectiveness of a Centre of Excellence in Africa in the field of counter-terrorism,” he noted.

On cross-border crime, the Defense Minister warned of the growing alliances between bandits and terrorists, pointing to the impact of kidnapping for ransom and piracy.

He called for a comprehensive approach to organised crime, stating: “We must scale up our efforts”, pointing to the urgency of combating illicit arms trafficking in the Sahel region.

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

“We take this opportunity to urge the international community to renew its efforts to stem the tide of small arms and light weapons in conflict, particularly in the Sahel region, where unhindered access by non-state actors to illicit arms and light weapons continues to fuel insecurity and instability,” he said.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting UN initiatives to promote world peace and combat terrorism.