The paradigm change caused by the Russia-Ukraine war in the international order has echoed the call for UN Security Council (UNSC) reform in order to appropriately respond to global issues and adapt to the geopolitical realities of the twenty-first century. This opens the door for the African continent to gain permanent membership in the UN Security Council. However, given the country’s current status, the likelihood of Nigeria assuming this position remains a source of concern.
President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, stated before the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 21, 2022, that the United States (US) supports an increase in the number of permanent and non-permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC), particularly the inclusion of countries from Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Accepting additional African members will bring the organization closer to the people and alleviate the continent’s sense of marginalization on the world stage. However, the issue that begs an answer is: which African country has the capacity to ascend and join the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), France, Russia, and China on the permanent seat of the UN Security Council (UNSC)?
Nigeria has been contributing to the UN peace keeping mission.
Nigeria has been contributing to the United Nations peacekeeping effort around the world for several years. Her contributions to African peace and security cannot be overstated, particularly in the restoration of peace in Liberia and Gambia, among other countries. In 1990, Nigeria led the Economic Community Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), a joint military intervention force deployed by ECOWAS to help restore peace and order in Liberia. Nigerian troops accounted for 84 percent of the 6000 troops sent to the country. Nigeria alone contributed 10,000 troops to the ECOMOG Standing forces when they reached 12,000 in 1991, 1992, and 1993. Following the end of the country’s second civil war, Nigerian peacekeepers were sent to supervise a ceasefire deal formed under the UN Mission in Liberia (UNSMIL) in September 2003.
This Big Brother spirit was manifested in the struggle that led to the collapse of South Africa’s apartheid regime in 1991 and prevented the “democratic recession” that would have resulted in a major disaster in Africa when the then-President of Gambia, Mr. Yahya Jammeh, decided not to hand over power to his successor, President Adama Barrow, in 2017. Most of the ECOMOG’s victories in the West African sub-region and beyond would have been a pipe dream without Nigeria’s involvement. As a result, some claim that Nigeria is the salt of Africa, a country built on a hill that cannot be hidden. Unfortunately, the country known as “the salt of Africa” appears to have lost its savour, with increased instability, poverty, and economic backwardness, among other ills, sweeping the country like a whirlwind.
Poverty has eaten deep into the fabric of the country’s image.
These gloomy conditions have given the notion that Nigeria is just “beautiful outside but ugly at home.” This appears to be the best depiction of Nigeria, given the “staggering fight” against Boko Haram terrorists in the north-east and the spread of the terrorists’ web in various forms, sizes, and styles across the country’s six geographical zones. In the North-west, for example, it is referred to as bandits, whereas in the North-central, it appears to have begun with herder/farmer fights and progressed to kidnapping. It appears to take the form of unknown gunmen in the south-east, oil theft in the south-south, and ritual slaughter in the south-west. This is exacerbated by chronic poverty, which is pushing the country towards a failed state.
Poverty appears to have eaten deeply into the fabric of the country’s image, with Nigeria consistently ranking among the top poverty-infected countries in the world. Nigeria has been dubbed the world’s poverty capital, despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to pull 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years. The most amusing aspect is that the more money poured into poverty reduction and empowerment programs, the more individuals fall into the “pit of poverty.” Currently, more than 40% of Nigerians live below the poverty line. This is anticipated to rise as a result of the country’s rising inflation rate, which has significantly lowered the purchasing power of many individuals, particularly the unemployed.
Ezulwini consensus a proposal designed by African Union.
The Ezulwini consensus is a proposal devised by the African Union to project Africa’s one view on UNSC reform. It stipulated that the continent have at least two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats. Shortly after Nigeria unofficially expressed interest in representing the continent if the plan was accepted, South Africa, to which Nigeria assisted significantly in achieving independence in 1991, expressed interest. This is hardly surprising given that all states are considered equal in the international system regardless of their shapes, sizes, strength, or years of existence. However, the display should prompt the Nigerian government to reflect on the past, assess the present, and increase efforts to diversify the country’s economy, wage a serious war against corruption, restructure the security architecture, and invest heavily in education and advanced technology so that Nigeria has something to present when the time comes for UNSC reform.
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The Russia-Ukraine war has prompted calls for UN Security Council (UNSC) reform in order to respond to global concerns and adapt to 21st-century geopolitics.
The prospect of Nigeria acquiring this position remains a cause for concern in light of the current state of the country.
Despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s pledge to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next decade, Nigeria has been called the world’s poverty capital.
It’s a welcome development by vyng for permanent position at the UN so let’s watch and see if we can be considered for the enviable position.
I think every state should actually have a permanent seat in the United Nations. Although I understand it’s exclusively for the powerful nations. Nigeria should continue to bid. Atleast, Nigeria should have amidst all the African countries.
It’s good seeing Nigeria too trying to secure a permanent seat at the UN council but do we actually have what it takes. Because we lack behind developmentally and not really making a significant progress years back compared to other countries.
The prospect of Nigeria acquiring this position remains a cause for concern in light of the current state of the country.
Nigeria deserve the Permanent seat of UN Security council reflecting on the pass records and achievements in Africa but with the present ugly situations of the country it will be very difficult for Nigeria to have that seat.I wish Nigeria can win that seat.
It is a very good thing our country is fighting for a permanent sit in UN if we are able to secure it, it will favor us well but due to our undeveloped, poor situation we are in it might be difficult but still else we have to try
With the way corruption and insecurity has eaten deep in the country,no international community will vote for Nigeria to have permanent seat in the UN,unless Nigeria image is change and improved in all areas.
It will be a great honour if Nigeria could win that seat and become part of UN Security council judging by the pass achievement in stabilizing countries in Africa.
As a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, there has been renewed interest in reforming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in order to better address contemporary international problems and accommodate the geopolitical realities of the twenty-first century.
Nigeria’s bid for a permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council we need, it is a very good thing our country is questing for permanent sit
This paves the way for the African continent to achieve its goal of obtaining a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. In spite of this, given the current state of the country, there is reason to be concerned about the likelihood of Nigeria assuming this position in the future.
To safeguard the peace around the world, the United Nations has relied on countries like Nigeria to help out for many years. Her role in restoring calm in war-torn countries like Liberia and Gambia in Africa is an example of her importance to the continent’s security.
It will help alleviate the feeling that the African continent is being marginalized on the global stage if additional African members are accepted into the organization. This will bring the organization closer to the people.
Without Nigeria’s participation, the ECOMOG’s triumphs in the West African sub-region and beyond would have been unimaginable. That’s why some people say Nigeria is indispensable; it’s a shining example of Africa’s potential.
These dismal circumstances have contributed to the stereotype that Nigeria is “beautiful on the outside but hideous on the inside.” Given the “staggering war” against Boko Haram terrorists in the north-east and the spread of the terrorists’ network in all forms, sizes, and styles across the country, this seems to be the most accurate portrayal of Nigeria.
Nigeria consistently ranks among the top countries infected with poverty, suggesting that poverty has gnawed deeply into the fabric of the country’s image. Nigeria is often referred to as “the world’s poverty capital,”
Poverty appears to have eaten deeply into the fabric of the country’s image, with Nigeria consistently ranking among the top poverty-infected countries in the world. Nigeria has been dubbed the world’s poverty capital, despite PMB’s commitment to pull 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years.
The acceptance of more African members into the organization will aid in reducing the perception that the African continent is being ignored on the international scene. The company will become more accessible to the public as a result.