Nigeria has assumed the leadership of the United Nations Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C-34).

Jimoh Ibrahim, Nigeria’s UN permanent representative, assumed the chairmanship after his predecessor, Canadian ambassador to the UN David Lametti, handed over.

Mr Ibrahim immediately outlined priorities to make UN peacekeeping more practical, accountable, and responsive to realities on the ground.

He said Nigeria would use the leadership position to push for a closer relationship between policies negotiated at UN headquarters and the realities confronting peacekeepers, host communities and civilians in conflict zones.

Mr Ibrahim identified closing the gap between policy formulation and operational implementation as one of Nigeria’s principal priorities under the chairmanship. He said Nigeria would use its responsibilities across the UN system to advance accountability, effective multilateralism and stronger connections between resources, policies and measurable outcomes.

The envoy said Nigeria would work closely with Canada, other members of the C-34 Bureau, troop- and police-contributing countries, financial contributors, the UN Secretariat and host countries in preparing for the committee’s 2027 substantive session.

He added that Nigeria’s leadership would be anchored on effective peacekeeping, protection of civilians, field-informed policy, financial responsibility, respect for the UN Charter and greater accountability across the peacekeeping partnership.

The peacekeeping committee brings together a broad range of peacekeeping stakeholders, including troop- and police-contributing countries, major financial contributors, members of the Security Council, and states hosting peacekeeping operations.

Mr Ibrahim said Nigeria would advocate stronger participation by senior military leadership in the committee’s substantive deliberations, particularly during its February-to-March 2027 session. He called for army chiefs and equivalent senior military authorities from participating countries to engage more directly with C-34 discussions.

Mr Ibrahim also placed civilian protection at the centre of Nigeria’s emerging peacekeeping agenda. He said peacekeeping and counter-terrorism responses must never lose sight of the fundamental rights and safety of civilians caught in conflict environments.

Mr Lametti expressed support for constructive engagement under the new chairmanship, particularly on peacekeeping financing and field engagement. He said Canada welcomed robust discussions on payment and financial responsibility, an area the Nigerian chair identified as deserving greater attention.

The Canadian envoy also expressed support for greater interaction between committee delegates and peacekeeping operations in the field.

He pledged Canada’s support for visits that would enable members to gain a firsthand understanding of the operational challenges confronting missions, peacekeepers and host communities.

(NAN)