AN INVESTIGATION ON REGIONAL INFLUENCE AND NIGERIA’S PURSUIT OF A PERMANENT SEAT ON THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL

1.1 Background of the Study Most scholars in the field of international relations agree that a state’s relative material strength is one of the most reliable indicators of its status as a regional power. Key indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), population size, military strength, and overall economic development generally define a country’s regional standing within a specific geographical area. This principle applies not only to global superpowers and hegemonic states but also to regional hegemonies. Using these parameters, comparisons can be drawn to determine the strength of one state relative to another. Ade (2015) argues that a regional power’s ability to translate this material superiority into actual performance—such as taking on regional responsibilities—is a vital measure of its hegemonic influence. Ade distinguishes between mere regional power and a true regional hegemon by pointing to specific capabilities, including the provision of public goods, particularly the maintenance of peace and order. He further identifies four key factors that can elevate a regional power to hegemonic status: self-perception, perception of territorial significance, the ability to provide public goods, and influence over secondary states within the region (Amujiri, 2015). In today’s global landscape, the United Nations (UN) is widely regarded as one of the most advanced and effectively structured institutions for maintaining international peace and security. Since its founding in 1945 by 51 sovereign nations, the UN has steadily expanded both its membership and its agenda, now encompassing 193 member states. Over time, the organization’s mission has grown to include issues such as democratization, environmental sustainability, human rights advocacy, gender equality, and the promotion of good governance—especially following the end of the Cold War and the emergence of a New World Order. The UN Security Council (UNSC) is at the core of the organization’s activities. It comprises fifteen members: five permanent members with veto power and ten non-permanent members elected on a rotational basis. The five permanent members—commonly referred to as the P5—are the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China. These countries can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including decisions on new member admissions and the selection of the UN Secretary-General. The ten non-permanent members are elected by region and serve two-year terms, with the presidency of the Council rotating monthly among them. Despite its global significance, no African country currently holds a permanent seat on the Security Council. Given that Africa is the second-most populous continent after Asia, this exclusion has sparked calls for fairer representation. Among potential African candidates, Nigeria stands out as the most widely supported choice to represent the continent in a permanent capacity. Nigeria’s contributions to global peace and security cannot be overstated. Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has played a leading role in supporting the UN and partnering with other international stakeholders to promote peace and stability worldwide. After joining the United Nations as its 99th member in 1960, Nigeria has served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council five times—in 1966–1967, 1978–1979, 1994–1995, 2011–2014, and 2014–2015—more than any other African nation. This consistent involvement has cemented Nigeria’s status as a continental leader and earned it the nickname “the giant of Africa.” Since independence, Nigeria has placed Africa at the center of its foreign policy, signaling its commitment to the continent’s progress. This outlook shaped its robust campaign for African decolonization and the formation of a united front, exemplified by its foundational role in creating the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU). Nigeria has consistently provided the OAU/AU with diplomatic, financial, and logistical support. Okohe (2017), citing Piate (2013), outlines three essential criteria for any country seeking a permanent seat on the Security Council: sufficient economic resources, strong military capabilities, and sound political leadership. While Nigeria is abundantly endowed with natural resources—particularly oil—it has not fully capitalized on these assets for national development. The challenge lies not in the presence of resources, but in how effectively they are harnessed and integrated into the broader economy. From a military standpoint, some scholars argue that enhancing military strength is a rational path for asserting international influence. Mbara (2018) points out that military size is often a key determinant of power. A large army may deter smaller nations from initiating conflict. Although Nigeria’s military is sizable compared to others in the region, it faces a critical limitation: poor equipment and inadequate modernization. Political leadership and the structure of governance also play a crucial role in shaping foreign policy and implementing domestic agendas. Even with favorable economic and military conditions, a nation cannot truly be strong without effective leadership. While Nigeria has maintained a tradition of democratic transitions, it has historically lacked strategic governance—the ability to align both tangible and intangible resources toward achieving national objectives and a coherent global vision (Ugwuja, 2015). Instead, successive governments have often exhibited autocratic tendencies, prioritizing personal interests over national strategy. It is within this complex context that this study seeks to explore regional dominance and Nigeria’s aspiration for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. ________________________________________ 1.2 Statement of the Problem Nigeria’s material capabilities—rooted in its large population, strategic geographic position, vast natural resources, and significant military investments—can be traced back to its colonial past and the leadership role it assumed upon gaining independence in 1960 (Babalole, 2015). Alongside these tangible factors, colonial legacies such as the partitioning of Africa by European powers, slavery, economic exploitation, and neocolonial dynamics have shaped Nigeria’s emergence as a continental leader, positioning it as a key player in bearing Africa’s political and diplomatic burdens (Saliu, 2016). There has been widespread speculation and support for Nigeria to represent Africa as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. However, a range of persistent internal issues complicate this ambition. These include economic instability, insurgency, political volatility, weak democratic institutions, and endemic corruption. These challenges continue to cast doubt on Nigeria’s readiness for such a significant international role. A number of scholars—including A.S. Akpotor and P.E. Agbeka, in their work "Nigeria’s Quest for a Permanent Seat in the Security Council"—have documented Nigeria’s considerable contributions to international peace and security. They argue that Nigeria’s proactive involvement in resolving regional and global politico-security crises, along with its support for numerous African nations, makes it arguably the most qualified African candidate for a permanent seat on the Council. Despite the volume of scholarly literature on this topic, the question of Nigeria’s readiness for permanent membership on the Security Council remains unresolved. Therefore, this study seeks to critically examine regional dominance and Nigeria’s quest for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. 1.3 Research Questions The following questions have been prepared for the study: 1.will Nigeria’s regional dominane will enhance its quest for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council? 2.will Nigeria’s leadership roles in the decolonization of Africa will enhance its quest for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council? 3.will Nigeria’s military might can enhance Nigerias quest for a permanent seat the United Nations Security Council? 4. will Nigeria’s role to achieve peace, security and protect democracy will promote its cause for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council? 5. will Nigeria’s offer of grants, to needy countries in the region will enhance its cause for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council? 1.4 Objective of the study The general objective of the study is to assess Regional Influence and Nigeria’s Pursuit of a Permanent Seat on the United Nations Security Councilt. The specific objective is as follow: 1.To examine whether Nigeria’s regional dominane will enhance its quest for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. 2.To find out whether Nigeria’s leadership roles in the decolonization of Africa will enhance its quest for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council. 3.To investigate whether Nigeria’s military might can enhance Nigerias quest for a permanent seat the United Nations Security Council. 4. To assess whether Nigeria’s role to achieve peace, security and protect democracy will promote its cause for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. 5. To analyze whether Nigeria’s offer of grants, to needy countries in the region will enhance its cause for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. 1.5 Research hypotheses preposition The following hypothesis have been formulated for the study: H01: Nigeria’s regional dominane will not enhance its quest for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. H02: Nigeria’s leadership roles in the decolonization of Africa will not enhance its quest for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council. H03: Nigeria’s military might can not enhance Nigerias quest for a permanent seat the United Nations Security Council. H04: Nigeria’s role to achieve peace, security and protect democracy will not promote its cause for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. H05: Nigeria’s offer of grants, to needy countries in the region will not enhance its cause for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. 1.6 Significance of the study The study has both practical and theoretical significance. Empirically, it shall be of immense benefit to diplomats, public policy formulators, students of international relations, politicians and high level representatives at the international level saddled with the onus of devising appropriate institutional mechanisms for the smooth and foreign policy thrust that will enable their home government to adequately lobby and canvas for it (s)election to the UNSC. For the UNSC, it will also provide scholars the basis for further research into the United Nations Reforms and the expansion of the composition of the Security Council for both the permanent and non-permanent categories. The study will be of benefit to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature. 1.7 Scope and limitation of the study The study will examine whether Nigeria’s regional dominane will enhance its quest for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. The study will also find out whether Nigeria’s leadership roles in the decolonization of Africa will enhance its quest for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council. The study will further investigate whether Nigeria’s military might can enhance Nigerias quest for a permanent seat the United Nations Security Council. More so, the study will assess whether Nigeria’s role to achieve peace, security and protect democracy will promote its cause for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. Lastly, the study will analyze whether Nigeria’s offer of grants, to needy countries in the region will enhance its cause for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. 1.8 Organization of the study The study consisted of five chapters. Chapter one comprised background of the Russian - Ukrainian war and a general introduction to the work. It included statement of problem of the study, highlighted the objectives of the study, the scope within which the research was conducted is also highlighted. An outline of how the work is organized is also detailed in the chapter one. The chapter two of the study reviewed Nigeria’s regional dominane will enhance its quest for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council, Nigeria’s leadership roles in the decolonization of Africa will enhance its quest for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, Nigeria’s military might can enhance Nigerias quest for a permanent seat the United Nations Security Council, Nigeria’s role to achieve peace, security and protect democracy will promote its cause for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council and analyze whether Nigeria’s offer of grants, to needy countries in the region will enhance its cause for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. The chapter three evaluate theresearch methodology. Chapter four discusses the data analysis and the chapter five deals with the summary of the major findings, recommendations and conclusion to the study. 1.9 Definition of terms Regional dominance: the term "regional power" has been used for a sovereign state that exercises significant power within a given geographical region Security council: a permanent council of the United Nations with primary responsibility for maintaining peace and security.