Nigeria on Sunday demanded a seat in the United Nations Security Council.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, made the call in his address at the Summit of the Future interactive dialogue 2 titled: “Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security,” in New York, the United States.
The summit is part of the events at the 79th United Nations General Assembly.
He said Nigeria has earned the right to become a member of the UN Security Council after contributing to 41 peacekeeping missions by deploying over 200,000 troops.
The minister added that Nigeria had a longstanding commitment to international peace and security.
He said: “Since our first deployment in the Congo in 1960, Nigeria has contributed to 41 peacekeeping missions globally.”
READ ALSO:Bandits free abducted students, staff of Zamfara varsity after seven months
Badaru also called for reform of the UN Security Council to ensure Africa was represented with permanent seats.
“Nigeria has remained unequivocal in its commitment to international peacebuilding and security, since the first engagement of its troops in the Congo in 1960.
“To date, Nigeria has contributed to 41 peacekeeping operations worldwide, with over two hundred thousand Nigerian troops serving in UN peacekeeping missions.”
“Nigeria under the regional and sub-regional cooperation has been involved in peacekeeping operations in field missions in several countries.
He listed the countries to include Cote D’ Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Sudan and Sierra Leone.