By Danjuma Amodu | February 16, 2026
The recent expression of support from UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council is a significant milestone. But as the country celebrates this achievement, it’s crucial we confront the harsh realities that threaten to undermine our aspirations.
Insecurity, terrorism, and corruption continue to ravage our nation, while electoral laws are often manipulated to serve partisan interests. These challenges not only hinder our development but also raise questions about our readiness for a leadership role on the global stage.
Critics argue that Nigeria’s poor governance record, human rights abuses, and lack of accountability make it an unlikely candidate for a permanent seat. They point to the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, and kidnappings as evidence of the government’s failure to secure the country.
On the other hand, proponents argue that Nigeria’s size, economic potential, and democratic continuity make it a natural fit for the role. They highlight the country’s contributions to global peacekeeping efforts and its commitment to regional integration through ECOWAS and the African Union.
The truth lies somewhere in between. Nigeria has made significant strides in democracy and economic growth, but it still has much to prove. To earn a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, the government must demonstrate its ability to tackle the country’s deep-seated challenges.
We need a government that prioritizes security, transparency, and accountability. We need electoral laws that are fair, transparent, and free from manipulation. We need leaders who are committed to serving the people, not their own interests.
Furthermore, the government’s practice of withholding budget allocations to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) is crippling the country’s development and undermining its institutions. Electoral laws must also be reformed to ensure they are fair, transparent, and free from partisan manipulation.
The current demands for electronic transmission of results from polling units, as opposed to electronic voting, should be incorporated into electoral reform and pass by the NationalAssembly. This would reduce reliance on transmission of results via transportation of collated results, particularly Form EC8A, which are prone to manipulation and fraud, ultimately underminishing the will of the people and empowering dishonest politicians.
Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council is not just about prestige; it’s about demonstrating its commitment to democracy, human rights, and global governance. The government must show that it is serious about addressing these challenges and positioning the country as a responsible leader in Africa.
We urge the government to take concrete steps to tackle insecurity, corruption, and governance issues. The international community will be watching, and Nigeria’s actions will determine whether it earns the right to sit at the table with the world’s most powerful nations.
Let’s get to work, Nigeria. The world is watching.
