WRITTEN BY: NASIRU MUHAMMAD WAZIRI, KANO
My Dad use to say ‘you cannot cross the bridge until you have come to the point of crossing it’, it never occurs to me until now that I am fully grown.
Recently there’s ongoing conversation on both social and, main Stream media about the recent Nigeria prayers to secure permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
What is UNSC ?
The Security Council was first established in 1945 with eleven (11) members and now boasts fifteen (15) — five permanent members (the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China) and ten members who rotate in on two-year terms, by vote of the General Assembly.
The five permanent members each can veto actions by the Security Council, which can include sending United Nations (UN) peacekeepers to conflict zones.
Interestingly, Africa played an important role in perhaps the most significant change to the Security Council: the 1971 change in the permanent member seat from the Republic of China (aka Taiwan) to the People’s Republic of China. At the time, Mao Zedong spoke of a debt of gratitude to African nations and other developing countries that “carried” his country’s bid.
An increased presence for Africa on the Security Council makes sense given the demographic rise of southern nations, many of which gained their independence in the mid- to late twentieth century, bringing the number of UN member states from 51 in 1945 to 193 today.
Nowhere is that rise more pronounced than in Africa. One in four human beings will be African by 2050, and by the end of the century, it is predicted that Africa will be the most populous continent on the planet. Within the General Assembly, African nations hold 28 percent of the votes, ahead of Asia (27 percent), the Americas (17 percent), and Western Europe (15 percent).
Intellectual Views
A senior lecturer from the faculty of law, Bayero University Kano, Barrister Hafiz El-yakub, shed more light on the legality and eligibility of Nigeria becoming member state among UNSC.
“Nigeria as a sovereign Nation the eligibility to become member state amongst UNSC, this is normally done through selecting process (that is a nation is selected to represent a region by the General assembly or by fulfilling basic requirements in the UN charter.
Going by this, if Nigeria is given seat as permanent member or any selected country there’s no harm with that.
When asked about the capacity and capability of Nigeria to uphold this great responsibility ?
Barrister Hafiz reply that Capability con note different thing.
Adding that Nigeria is a big nation in Africa, despite the challenges, he thinks this should not be a yardstick to judge weather Nigeria is capable or not, he also believe Nigeria will represent Africa as well as Black Nation as a whole in the international community.
On the debt relief prayers by Nigeria Vice President, Kashim Shettim?
El-yakub, noted that in this 21st century, no country is free of security challenges, be it in Europe or America , what matters most is how a nation approach to tackle the issue, be it Boko haram, Banditry and what have you, that is not peculiar to Nigeria, other countries have similar problems it’s not only Nigeria is affected, he said.
According to him, if Nigeria if given seat in the UNSC it will ginger Nigeria to be more transparent and accountable.
On the transparency on expenditure and Nigeria excessive borrowed and loot accusations, he responded that,’ it is a mare accusation’.
He attributed the failure of Agencies responsible for checkmating leaders and the parastatals in a manner of efficiency in managing security and corruption cases.
Why Nigeria ?
In my personal opinion. Nigeria, is the Africa’s largest economy, despite facing a number of economic challenges that threaten its growth prospects and stability These include high inflation, foreign exchange rate volatility, low productivity, weak governance, and poor infrastructure.
Moreover, after the COVID-19 pandemic subsided in 2021, poverty has worsened due to unemployment and high inflation rates, leading to food insecurity for millions
In 2020, Nigeria’s economy is expected to experience its deepest recession since the 1980s due to the COVID-19-related disruptions, notably lower oil prices… with the aforementioned internal issues there are alot of Nigerians who still believe in it and is valid believe me.
In addition, there’s alot of pressure by African states and non state actors about imbalance or lack of perticipation of Africa in UNSC despite being a significant part the structure in addition to population and large number of sovereign states.
The Pressure Point
The common position of the African Union (AU) on Security Council reform, known as “The Ezulwini Consensus”, is based on the communiqué it adopted in Addis Ababa in March 2005. It calls for Africa to have “not less than two permanent seats” and five non-permanent seats on the Security Council.
Why can’t Nigeria have a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, since it is the most populous black nation on earth ?
Finally, I fail to see what benefit this would bring to Nigeria.
Did Nigeria Deserve to have Permanent seat at the UNSC ?
May be, Nigeria doesn’t have the power. It’s economy is smaller than that of the cities of London or Paris. It has extremely high levels of corruption in government, and said governemnt is not able to maintain order across the country.
It has no history of dealing with world affairs, and it does not have the means to do so. It would fit with neither the Western Three (which Germany, India, and Japan do), nor would it fit with the two other giants. Neither side wishes to admit a country that won’t support their arguments.
Nigeria lacks nuclear weapons, which, while not essential to seeking permanent membership, definitely help to tick the power box. Germany and Japan could quite easily become nuclear powered within a year or two if they wished. Nigeria would struggle to attract the talent and muster the resources.
CONCLUSION
Finally, I fail to see what benefit this would bring to Nigeria. Currently, the countries in the P5 help to maintain worldwide security at their expense, a measure that Nigeria benefits from. Joining the club will not increase its security, but will its cost.
It has nothing to do with black population. It has everything to do with capability and suitability.
