The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has called for the reform of the United Nations Security Council to grant Africa a permanent seat.

Speaking to newsmen after addressing the 79th United Nations General Assembly during an interactive dialogue on “Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security,” in New York, Badaru emphasized Nigeria’s extensive contributions to global peacekeeping efforts, having deployed over 200,000 troops across 41 missions since 1960.

In addition to Security Council reform, Badaru advocated for strengthening Africa’s military capabilities to address terrorism and other security challenges, highlighting the growing challenge of transnational crime, illegal arms trafficking, and the alliance between bandits and terrorists in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

The Minister who called for urgent international action to stem the flow of illicit arms, warned that unrestricted access to weapons by non-state actors exacerbates insecurity in the region. 

Nigeria’s Defence Minister also called for the operationalization of the African Standby Force, which is designed to respond to crisis on the continent, and the establishment of a centre of excellence on counter-terrorism.