At the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, renewed the nation’s call for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, citing Nigeria’s extensive contributions to global peacekeeping. Since 1960, Nigeria has participated in 41 peacekeeping missions, deploying over 200,000 troops.
Badaru emphasized that Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to international peace and security, particularly in Africa, justifies its demand for a more inclusive Security Council that gives permanent representation to African nations. He argued that such reform would enhance global stability.
In addition to highlighting Nigeria’s role in peacekeeping efforts across countries like Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, the Defence Minister called for the operationalization of the African Standby Force (ASF) to strengthen regional defense capabilities against terrorism. He stressed the importance of professional African armies in addressing terrorism and advocated for comprehensive strategies to combat transnational crime and arms trafficking, particularly in the Sahel region.
Badaru also warned about the growing alliance between bandits and terrorists, including activities like kidnapping for ransom and piracy. He urged the international community to intensify efforts to control the spread of small arms and light weapons, particularly in conflict zones, to prevent further insecurity and instability. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the UN in promoting global peace and fighting terrorism.
