Nigeria elected chair of the UN Peacekeeping Committee for a record 54th time

Nigeria’s record-breaking return to the chairmanship of the United Nations Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C-34) reflects a depth of institutional trust built over decades of engagement in global peace operations, rather than a symbolic rotation of roles.

That trust was reaffirmed at the opening of the committee’s 2026 session at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where Nigeria was elected to chair the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations for the 54th time, with the country’s Chargé d’Affaires and Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Syndoph Endoni, chosen by acclamation to lead the body. Established in 1965, the committee is widely regarded as the UN’s most strategic forum for reviewing peacekeeping mandates and shaping policy direction for missions worldwide.

Nigeria’s leadership of the committee dates back to 1972, a continuity that has few parallels in multilateral diplomacy. Its repeated re-election is closely tied to sustained operational commitment. According to data cited by the News Agency of Nigeria, the country ranks among the world’s top 15 troop-contributing nations to UN peacekeeping missions and eighth within Africa, with personnel deployed across operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, the Central African Republic, and Lebanon.

Beyond its global footprint, Nigeria’s influence is deeply anchored in regional security leadership. In the 1990s, Nigerian forces formed the backbone of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), playing decisive roles in restoring order in Liberia and Sierra Leone at a time when international intervention was limited. Those missions helped shape West Africa’s collective security framework and reinforced Nigeria’s position as the region’s primary stabilising force.

That operational experience continues to inform Nigeria’s diplomatic posture at the United Nations. During the General Debate of the 2026 C-34 session, Ambassador Endoni reaffirmed that peace, unity, and dialogue remain central to Nigeria’s national identity and foreign policy. He also highlighted the evolving demands of modern peacekeeping, emphasising the importance of innovation, data-driven decision-making, improved situational awareness, and responsible technology integration in protecting personnel and delivering mandates.

The Nigerian envoy further stressed discipline, accountability, and due process as essential to maintaining the credibility and effectiveness of peace operations, principles shaped by decades of engagement in complex conflict environments where civilian protection and mandate clarity are critical.

As conflicts grow more fragmented and peace operations face increasing political and operational constraints, Nigeria’s continued leadership of the UN Peacekeeping Committee positions it as a bridge between troop-contributing countries and policy architects. Its 54th chairmanship is therefore not merely a record in longevity, but a reflection of relevance, anchored in experience, regional leadership, and sustained commitment to international peace and security.