Professor Babafemi Adesina Badejo, a Nigerian peace and governance expert, has received the Medal of the Order of Timor-Leste for his contributions to international peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
The honour was presented on Monday, September 21, 2026, by José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace laureate, at the country’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
Conferred under Decree No. 107/2026, the award recognises Badejo’s role in supporting efforts to restore constitutional governance in Guinea-Bissau, particularly through his collaboration with a Timorese technical team between 2013 and 2014.
Badejo’s involvement in the West African country’s recovery began in January 2013, when he became Chief of Staff to Ramos-Horta, who was then serving as the Special Representative of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for Guinea-Bissau. He held the position until June 2014.
During this period, the team helped rebuild cooperation between the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), contributing to the restoration of constitutional order through transparent elections in 2014. Timor-Leste provided more than US$8 million in support of the process.
Ramos-Horta described Badejo as “a true friend of Timor-Leste and a champion of peace”, praising his contribution to building foundations for stability in regions facing political uncertainty.
Accepting the medal, Badejo reflected on the relationship developed through their shared peacebuilding responsibilities.
“Your Excellency has chosen the International Day of Peace to honour me, and I find that fitting, because our friendship was forged in the rather less peaceful business of making peace,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the government and people of Timor-Leste and acknowledged Nigeria’s role in stabilising Guinea-Bissau under former President Goodluck Jonathan, who served as ECOWAS lead on the country.
Badejo also dedicated the recognition to the individuals whose work sustaining peace often goes unnoticed, including peace support officials, mediators, civil society workers and ordinary citizens helping to hold fragile societies together.
The award adds to a distinguished record of international service. Badejo previously served as Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia and held other senior positions within the organisation.
In November 2025, Djibouti conferred on him the National Order of June 27, 1977, for his contribution to peace in Somalia, including his involvement in the Arta peace conference.
Badejo retired from the United Nations in 2017 and later authored Somalia Just Before Al-Shabaab: Why Peace Was Elusive, a book examining the region’s complex peace challenges.
His latest recognition highlights the impact of Nigerian professionals in international diplomacy and peacebuilding, while bringing renewed attention to the expertise and service Nigerians continue to contribute to global affairs.
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