At the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Nigeria reiterated its demand for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, underscoring its significant contributions to global peacekeeping. Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru highlighted Nigeria’s involvement in 41 peacekeeping missions and the deployment of over 200,000 troops since 1960, showcasing the country’s commitment to international peace and security.
Speaking at the Summit of the Future during the dialogue on “Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security,” Badaru pointed to Nigeria’s peacekeeping efforts in countries like Côte D’Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, and Sudan. He emphasized that Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest contributors to UN missions, providing substantial financial, logistical, and expert support.
Badaru advocated for the reform of the Security Council to include permanent African representation, arguing that this move would ensure global inclusivity and reinforce peace efforts.
Additionally, he called for the strengthening of Africa’s military forces to combat terrorism and regional instability, stressing the importance of operationalizing the African Standby Force. Badaru also urged the international community to curb the spread of small arms and light weapons, especially in conflict-prone areas like the Sahel, warning that uncontrolled access to these weapons fuels insecurity.