Nigeria urges UN to stop naming and shaming
Nigeria has urged the United Nations and the wider international community to stop publicly blaming the country for its security challenges. The government made this appeal during a session at the UN Security Council, where its representative argued that public criticism does not solve the underlying problems. According to Nigeria’s envoy, the country needs genuine partnership, not global humiliation, because insecurity in the region is driven by complex cross-border forces.
The Nigerian delegation explained that the flow of small arms and light weapons across West Africa and the Sahel continues to fuel terrorism, banditry, and violent extremism. These weapons, often smuggled through unstable neighbouring states, create conditions that make security responses far more difficult. Nigeria emphasised that insecurity is not just a national issue but a regional crisis requiring coordinated international action.
The government also highlighted steps it has taken to address the problem. It pointed to the establishment of a national body dedicated to controlling small arms and light weapons, as well as its cooperation with ECOWAS on arms regulation. Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to international agreements on arms tracing and responsible weapons trading, stressing that it has implemented several reforms to curb illegal circulation.
Nigeria’s frustration also stems from being recently labelled a “Country of Particular Concern” by some global actors over alleged religious persecution. Nigeria rejected the designation, arguing that its challenges are tied to terrorism and organised crime rather than targeted actions against any religious group. The government insisted that such labels misrepresent its situation and further damage its global image.
By calling for an end to what it described as “naming and shaming,” Nigeria is appealing for a shift toward constructive engagement. It believes that collaboration, intelligence sharing, and regional security partnerships are more effective paths toward restoring peace than public condemnation.
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