Security Council seat: Nigerian solicits Russia’s support

Nigeria hopes for Russia’s assistance and support in Abuja’s bid to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC), Defence Minister Mansur Dan-Ali told Sputnik on Thursday.

“We have the Gulf of Guinea cooperation, where Russia has a very key role to play.

“We are looking up to Russia in the UNSC because my country is looking for a permanent membership. We are looking for Russia’s support,” Dan-Ali said.

The UNSC has five permanent members, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, all of which have veto power, while there are 10 non-permanent members.

However, politicians from a number of countries, such as Germany, India and South Africa, have repeatedly called for reform of the institution that has not changed since 1945, in order to reflect changes in world order and realities.

The Nigerian authorities believe that the country deserves a permanent membership in the Security Council due to size of its economy and population, as well as its peacekeeping efforts.

The country was elected as a non-permanent UNSC member five times, with the latest tenure in 2014 to 2015.

Nigeria and the Soviet Union established diplomatic ties in 1960.

Since then the two countries have been cooperating in a number of spheres, including defence and energy. (NAN)