Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, used his address at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York to reiterate Nigeria’s call for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council, citing the country’s longstanding contributions to global peace and security.
Speaking at the “Summit of the Future: Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security” on Sunday, Badaru highlighted Nigeria’s active role in 41 UN peacekeeping missions since 1960, starting with its deployment to the Congo.
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“Nigeria has deployed over 200,000 troops in peacekeeping operations globally,” he noted, positioning the country as a leading contributor to international peace efforts.
The Defence Minister stressed that reforming the UN Security Council to include permanent African seats is essential for ensuring equitable representation and enhancing global stability.
“Nigeria has been unwavering in its commitment to international peacebuilding and security, and we believe that Africa’s inclusion in the Security Council is crucial for deeper global peace and security,” he asserted.
Nigeria’s extensive involvement in regional and global peace missions was underscored, with Badaru citing deployments to conflict zones in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Sudan, and Sierra Leone, among others.
He praised Nigeria’s contributions in terms of troops, logistics, finance, and civilian experts, positioning the country as one of Africa’s most significant contributors to UN operations.
He emphasized the importance of bolstering African military capabilities, particularly in the fight against terrorism, and called for the operationalization of the African Standby Force (ASF).
“Africa must build professional armies to effectively combat terrorism and other transnational threats,” Badaru said, urging for international support to develop counterterrorism centers of excellence across the continent.
In addressing security challenges, Badaru highlighted the need for robust strategies to tackle the proliferation of illegal arms and transnational crime, particularly in the Sahel region.
“We must confront the increasing alliances between bandits and terrorists, as well as the rising incidents of kidnapping for ransom and piracy,” he warned.
He called on the international community to take stronger action against the uncontrolled flow of small arms and light weapons in conflict zones, stressing that access to illicit arms by non-state actors continues to fuel insecurity and instability. “The time for action is now,” Badaru urged.
The Defence Minister concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to global peace efforts, pledging continued support for UN initiatives aimed at combating terrorism and enhancing international security.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE