ABSTRACT
With a focus on Nigeria’s role in the African continent, this chapter examines the probability of the country’s securing a permanent United Nations Security Council seat. Its foreign policy since independence has been geared towards the preservation of the country and its leadership role in African affairs. The chapter argues that Nigeria’s peacekeeping operations in regional conflicts, using its continental leadership in pursuing a global agenda, qualify it for a permanent membership of the UN Security Council. This is constrained by certain obstacles, such as acceptability by the five permanent members and regional organisations, lack of economic power and military capability, as well as a low technological power base. Recent security threats by the Boko Haram insurgents, among other security challenges, conspire to cast a doubt on the ability of the country to maintain internal security. The thrust of the paper is that Nigeria’s domestic crises and lack of economic and military capabilities may hinder her from attaining the Security Council seat. It concludes that Nigeria should improve on its domestic governance while striving for the seat.
