Nigeria advocates for UN reform and proposes mandatory military training

At the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Nigerian leadership emphasized the need for global diplomatic reform and increased participation in peacekeeping. Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Bola Tinubu called for a restructuring of the UN Security Council to grant Africa permanent seats, including veto power, and urged the international community to prioritize diplomacy and sustainable development over military force to achieve lasting peace.

Separately, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, proposed that all Nigerian citizens undergo mandatory military training. Musa stated that such exposure would provide civilians with a better understanding of the physical and mental hardships faced by soldiers, such as hunger, exhaustion, and sleep deprivation, thereby fostering greater public appreciation for the sacrifices made by the armed forces in protecting the nation.