NIGERIA’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, as advocated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the ongoing UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, has received strong backing from the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Professor Eghosa Osaghae.
In an interview on Arise TV, Prof. Osaghae argued that Nigeria is “preeminently qualified” for a permanent seat on the Security Council. He emphasized the country’s leadership in Africa, its status as the continent’s largest economy, and its significant contributions to global peace and security as key factors that justify this position.
“As the largest economy in Africa and a nation deeply involved in the pursuit of global peace and shared prosperity, Nigeria is more than qualified for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council,” Osaghae stated.
Prof. Osaghae referred to the 2005 Ezulwini Consensus, an agreement by the African Union, which calls for a more representative and democratic Security Council where Africa, like other regions, is adequately represented. He noted that Nigeria’s appeal aligns with broader calls for Security Council reform from the Global South and other countries, including Germany and Sweden, who support a more inclusive and equitable council.
“This is not a new request from Nigeria,” Prof. Osaghae explained. “The rest of the world, particularly the Global South, has long advocated for the expansion of the Security Council to reflect today’s geopolitical realities. The time has come to democratize the Security Council, making it more inclusive and better suited to address global security issues.”
Addressing the importance of Nigeria’s role on the global stage, Osaghae pointed out that the veto power wielded by current permanent members has often worked against the interests of nations in the Global South. He also highlighted the Council’s unique authority within the UN, as it is the only body whose decisions are binding on all member states.
“The Security Council holds the primary responsibility for maintaining global peace and security, and its resolutions are binding on the international community. Given the critical role Nigeria has played in peacekeeping, it is only fitting that the country has a permanent seat,” he said.
Prof. Osaghae also noted Nigeria’s long history of contributions to UN peacekeeping efforts, underscoring that the nation has consistently been at the forefront of such missions, further strengthening its case for permanent membership.
“The United Nations must consider Nigeria’s request seriously. Throughout its history, Nigeria has embraced peacekeeping and contributed more troops than most nations,” he concluded.
Report by: Obajide Ilugbo, Esq.
