Nigeria urges UN Security Council reforms, calls for permanent seat for Africa at 79th UN General Assembly

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru has called for comprehensive reforms of the UN Security Council to ensure that Africa is given a permanent seat. Speaking at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) dialogue “Summit of the Future”, Badaru stressed the importance of a fairer global architecture that includes Africa to promote peace and security.

The Minister highlighted Nigeria’s long-standing role in international peacekeeping, noting that the country has contributed to 41 UN peacekeeping missions since 1960, deploying more than 200,000 troops. Nigeria’s active participation in operations in Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sudan and other African countries further underscores its commitment to global stability.

Badaru stressed that giving Africa a permanent seat in the Security Council would lead to a more inclusive and effective global peacekeeping framework. He also advocated building professional African armies to counter terrorism and urged the operationalization of the African Standby Force.

In addition, Badaru called for urgent measures to tackle transnational crime, arms trafficking and the growing alliances between bandits and terrorists, particularly in the Sahel region. He stressed the need for international cooperation in controlling the flow of small arms and light weapons, which continues to fuel insecurity in conflict areas.

Badaru reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to support the UN in its fight against terrorism and organized crime. He urged the international community to take decisive action to stem the tide of illicit arms that threatens stability in the region.