The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa says, Nigeria as a member of the UN, Nigeria has since its independence remained steadfast in its contributions to global peacekeeping and conflict resolution, reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to global peace.
General Musa said this at the 2025 International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers commemoration, held in Abuja today 28 May 2025, themed “Fit for the Future, Building Better Together”, which resonates strongly with him as it serves as a constant reminder of the criticality of multilateralism in contending with evolving global threats.
According to the United Nations, over 200,000 Nigerian troops, police, and civilians have served in 41 UN, AU, and ECOWAS missions since 1960, demonstrating Nigeria's long-standing commitment to peacekeeping. The country's contributions to global peace and security are a testament to its belief that global peace is the responsibility of all countries and stakeholders.
The CDS General Musa in his address at the event noted that, based on this, Nigerian troops have served under the UN Flag with honour and distinction in several conflict zones around the world. Indeed, Nigeria is one of Africa’s leading contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations and a key player in the Committee of Peacekeeping.
He said this signifies not just the capacity of Nigerian military in contending with evolving threats, but also a testament to their belief that global peace is a responsibility of all countries and stakeholders.
"Accordingly, Nigerian troops serving either as contingents, observers, mediators or even commanders, have continued to play vital roles in stabilizing conflict regions and protecting vulnerable populations.
"As the Chief of Defence Staff, I am proud of these men and women who have continued to demonstrate courage, professionalism, and integrity in the discharge of their duties in UN missions as well as troops of other friendly nations who have worked side by side with us.
“Our troops have served with honour and distinction in numerous conflict zones, earning Nigeria a respected position as one of Africa’s leading contributors to UN missions.
"Nevertheless, peacekeeping is only a part of the puzzle as today's interconnected world is characterized by evolving threats, ranging from terrorism and cyber threat to pandemics and climate-induced conflicts." he stressed
The CDS pledged that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will therefore continue to adapt to this changing security landscape.
"It is in recognition of this that I coined my leadership concept for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, which is "to nurture a professional armed forces of Nigeria that is people-centric, capable of meeting its constitutional responsibilities in a joint and collaborative environment”.
"Accordingly, we will continue to deepen our collaboration with the United Nations and its specialized agencies not just in security, but in disaster response, civil-military cooperation, and sustainable development. We will also continue to partner with the UN in upholding international peace and security, promoting citizens’ rights and building resilient societies that can withstand contemporary security challenges." he added
He also paid tribute to all peacekeepers, especially fallen Nigerian heroes, whose sacrifices have laid the foundation for a more peaceful world. “We salute their courage and honour their legacy,” he said.