NIGERIA’S PURSUIT OF A UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT AND THE ROLE OF REGIONAL INFLUENCE

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study Many scholars in international relations agree that a state's relative material superiority is a key indicator of its status as a regional power. Elements such as high Gross Domestic Product (GDP), large population, strong military capacity, and overall economic success are widely acknowledged as determinants of a nation’s standing as a regional power within its geographical zone. This notion holds true not only for major global powers but also for regional hegemons. This material advantage serves as a baseline for comparing the strength of one state to another. According to Ade (2015), a significant marker of a regional hegemon is the ability of a state to translate its material superiority into action—specifically by taking on regional responsibilities and leadership roles. This includes providing public goods, maintaining peace and stability, and carrying out collective regional duties. Ade also notes four essential factors that contribute to a state's rise as a regional hegemon: self-perception, territorial perception, public goods provision, and influence over secondary states within the region (Amujiri, 2015). Today, the United Nations (UN) stands as one of the most sophisticated and well-structured institutions ever created to promote global peace and security. Established in 1945 with 51 founding member states, its membership has since grown to 193. The end of the Cold War and the emergence of a New World Order have significantly expanded the organization’s scope to now include issues such as democratization, environmental protection, human rights advocacy, gender equality, and good governance. Since its inception in 1945, the UN Security Council has been central to the UN’s operations. The Council comprises fifteen members—five of which are permanent and hold veto power, while the remaining ten are non-permanent and rotate every two years based on regional representation. The five permanent members, often referred to as the P5, are the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China. These members possess veto power over substantive decisions, including matters related to the admission of new UN members or the selection of the Secretary-General. The presidency of the Security Council rotates monthly among its members. Presently, no African country holds a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. This exclusion remains notable given that Africa is the world’s second-most populous continent after Asia. For this reason, Africa has long advocated for permanent representation on the Council. Among the leading contenders to represent the continent, Nigeria has often been regarded as the most viable candidate. Nigeria’s commitment to promoting global peace and security cannot be overstated. Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has consistently partnered with the UN and other international actors to uphold peace and stability. Nigeria became the 99th member of the United Nations shortly after independence and has since served five times as a non-permanent member of the Security Council—more than any other African nation. These terms were during 1966–1967, 1978–1979, 1994–1995, 2011–2014, and 2014–2015. Through these efforts, Nigeria has earned a reputation as a dominant regional player, often dubbed the “giant of Africa.” Nigeria’s foreign policy since independence has placed Africa at its core. This commitment has been demonstrated through the country’s active support for the decolonization and liberation of African nations. Nigeria played a key role in the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union (AU), and has continually provided the organization with financial, diplomatic, and logistical support. Okohe (2017) outlines three critical conditions that can guide a nation’s foreign policy strategy and also serve as prerequisites for acquiring a permanent seat on the UN Security Council: sufficient economic resources, robust military strength, and capable political leadership. These principles were previously articulated by Piate (2013). Economically, Nigeria is richly endowed with natural resources, particularly oil. However, national strength is not merely defined by the presence of resources, but by the extent to which these resources are harnessed for national development. In this respect, Nigeria lags behind, as it has failed to integrate its wealth into sustainable and broad-based economic growth. From a military perspective, some experts argue that increasing military capacity is essential for a state seeking global influence. Mbara (2018) stresses that a large armed force can act as a deterrent, giving the impression of strength. While Nigeria's military is sizable in comparison to others in the region, it remains poorly equipped, limiting its effectiveness. Political leadership and the nature of governance are also central to a country’s foreign policy direction and internal policy success. These aspects are especially crucial because they form the foundation upon which economic and military resources are managed. Even when other elements are favorable, weak leadership can hinder national development. Despite Nigeria’s democratic history and regular political transitions, the country has struggled with strategic governance. Ugwuja (2015) defines strategic governance as the ability of a state to effectively deploy both tangible and intangible resources to achieve national objectives and express its worldview. Unfortunately, successive Nigerian governments have often adopted authoritarian tendencies, prioritizing personal interests over national development. Against this backdrop, this study explores the issue of regional dominance and Nigeria’s pursuit of a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Nigeria’s emergence as a regional leader can be linked to both its material capacities and historical colonial experience (Babalole, 2015). These capacities include its large population, strategic geographic location, vast natural resources, and military investments. Meanwhile, colonial legacies—such as Africa’s arbitrary partitioning, the experience of slavery, economic exploitation, and the post-colonial push for self-determination—also contribute to Nigeria’s aspiration to lead on the continent (Saliu, 2016). Despite these factors, Nigeria's ambition to secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council continues to face serious challenges. These include a troubled economy, rising insurgency, political instability, weak democratic institutions, and pervasive corruption. Numerous scholars have addressed Nigeria’s campaign for a permanent seat. Notably, A.S. Akpotor and P.E. Agbeka in their book Nigeria’s Quest for a Permanent Seat in the Security Council discuss how Nigeria’s substantial contributions to resolving political and security crises both within Africa and globally make it a prime candidate to represent Africa on the Council. Although existing literature has extensively covered this topic, there remains a need to revisit and critically analyze Nigeria’s ongoing efforts and the underlying factors that either support or hinder its candidacy. Consequently, this study aims to assess the nexus between 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 examine Nigeria’s pursuit of a united nations security council seat and the role of regional influence. 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.