Nigeria and the United Nations have taken steps to strengthen collaboration on human rights protection and victims’ rights advocacy, with both parties agreeing to deepen institutional partnerships aimed at promoting accountability, justice and adherence to international humanitarian standards.
According to an official signed statement by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the commitment was reaffirmed during a diplomatic working visit by the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Victims’ Rights Advocate, Ms. Najla Nassif Palma, and her delegation to the Ministry of Defence at Ship House, Abuja.
During the meeting, the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, reiterated Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to international humanitarian law and strict compliance with globally accepted human rights standards in all military operations.
The Minister briefed the visiting United Nations delegation on measures put in place by the Federal Government to address historical issues arising from previous foreign peacekeeping missions involving Nigerian personnel.
General Musa assured the delegation of a transparent and effective communication framework designed to facilitate the resolution of long-standing paternity claims linked to past peacekeeping operations in Liberia, with the aim of bringing closure to the decades-old matter.
He emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that all legitimate concerns are addressed through appropriate mechanisms while upholding justice and fairness for affected individuals.
Speaking during the engagement, Ms. Palma disclosed that the United Nations is currently reviewing 42 legacy cases and appealed for the continued support and cooperation of the Nigerian government in advancing efforts to secure justice and closure for victims.
She noted that some of the affected individuals have expressed interest in obtaining Nigerian citizenship and stressed the importance of collaborative action to resolve outstanding issues arising from the peacekeeping missions.
The UN official commended Nigeria’s willingness to engage constructively on the matter and underscored the significance of sustained cooperation in addressing victims’ rights concerns.
At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to institutionalise a stronger partnership focused on promoting human rights awareness and strengthening compliance mechanisms within the security sector.
The collaboration is expected to include specialised training programmes, joint workshops and advanced capacity-building initiatives aimed at further integrating human rights protection into the operational doctrine of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The renewed partnership reflects ongoing efforts by Nigeria and the United Nations to advance human rights protection, enhance accountability and ensure that the rights and dignity of victims remain central to peacekeeping and security operations.
