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Nigeria has assumed the chairmanship of the United Nations Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, known as the C-34, with Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim taking over from Canada’s David Lametti and pledging to make UN peacekeeping more practical, accountable and responsive to realities in conflict zones.
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Ibrahim said Nigeria would prioritise closing the longstanding gap between policies negotiated at UN headquarters and the operational realities faced by peacekeepers, civilians and host communities, while strengthening the link between peacekeeping resources, policies and measurable results.
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The Nigerian envoy placed protection of civilians at the heart of the country’s peacekeeping agenda and called for stronger participation by senior military leaders, including army chiefs and equivalent authorities, in the committee’s substantive deliberations, particularly ahead of its February-March 2027 session.
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Canada has backed Nigeria’s new direction, with Lametti supporting stronger discussions on peacekeeping financing and greater engagement between C-34 members and missions in the field, including visits to help delegates understand the challenges confronting peacekeepers and host communities.
September 11, (THEWILL) – Nigeria has assumed the chairmanship of the United Nations Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, C-34, with its Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, pledging to push for a more effective, accountable and field-oriented approach to international peacekeeping.
Ibrahim formally assumed the chairmanship after his Canadian predecessor, Ambassador David Lametti, handed over the leadership of the committee.
The development gives Nigeria a prominent role in shaping discussions on the future of UN peacekeeping at a time when international missions are facing increasingly complex security environments, rising operational demands, financial pressures and growing expectations for the protection of civilians caught in armed conflicts.
Speaking after assuming office, Ibrahim said Nigeria would use the position to bridge the disconnect between decisions and policies developed at the UN headquarters and the realities confronting peacekeepers and civilian populations in conflict zones.
He identified the gap between policy formulation and operational implementation as one of the major issues Nigeria would seek to address during its tenure.
According to him, peacekeeping policies must be informed by what personnel and communities experience on the ground rather than being developed in isolation from operational realities.
Ibrahim said Nigeria would also deploy its responsibilities across the UN system to promote accountability, effective multilateralism and a stronger relationship between financial resources, policy decisions and measurable outcomes.
He said the Nigerian chairmanship would be anchored on effective peacekeeping, protection of civilians, field-informed policymaking, financial responsibility, respect for the UN Charter and greater accountability among countries and institutions that make up the peacekeeping partnership.
Nigeria Seeks Stronger Military Input
Ibrahim said Nigeria would push for increased participation by senior military leadership in the substantive deliberations of the committee.
He called for army chiefs and equivalent senior military authorities from participating countries to become more directly involved in C-34 discussions, particularly during the committee’s substantive session scheduled for February to March 2027.
The Nigerian envoy’s position reflects the country’s extensive experience in peacekeeping and military operations, both under the UN framework and in regional security initiatives. Nigeria has been one of Africa’s major contributors to international peacekeeping efforts over several decades, deploying military, police and other personnel to conflict and post-conflict environments.
Ibrahim said the experience and perspectives of countries providing personnel should be adequately reflected in decisions affecting missions in the field.
He said Nigeria would work with Canada, other members of the C-34 Bureau, troop- and police-contributing countries, financial contributors, the UN Secretariat and host countries as preparations begin for the committee’s 2027 substantive session.
Civilian Protection Takes Centre Stage
Another major priority identified by the Nigerian chair is the protection of civilians. Ibrahim said peacekeeping and counter-terrorism operations must remain firmly focused on the rights and safety of civilians living in conflict environments.
His position comes amid growing international concern over the vulnerability of civilian populations caught between armed groups, government forces and international security operations.
He stressed that security responses must not lose sight of the fundamental rights of civilians, making civilian protection a central component of Nigeria’s emerging agenda for the C-34.
Lametti, who handed over the chairmanship to Ibrahim, expressed Canada’s readiness to work constructively with the new Nigerian leadership.
He particularly welcomed stronger engagement on peacekeeping financing and greater interaction between C-34 delegates and UN operations in the field.
Financing has remained a critical issue for UN peacekeeping, with missions requiring substantial and sustained financial commitments from member states even as countries face competing domestic and international priorities.
Lametti said Canada welcomed robust discussions on payments and financial responsibility, an area Ibrahim had identified as requiring greater attention.
The Canadian envoy also supported greater opportunities for members of the committee to engage directly with peacekeeping operations.
He pledged Canada’s backing for field visits that would allow C-34 members to gain firsthand knowledge of the operational difficulties confronting peacekeeping missions, personnel and host communities. Such visits, he indicated, could help ensure that decisions taken at UN headquarters are more closely connected to conditions on the ground.
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C-34: Implication For Nigeria
The C-34 is a key UN forum bringing together countries with direct and financial interests in peacekeeping operations. Its membership includes troop- and police-contributing countries, major financial contributors, members of the UN Security Council and countries hosting peacekeeping missions.
The C-34 provides a platform where the interests and concerns of troop- and police-contributing countries can be considered alongside those of financial contributors. The committee plays an important role in considering policy, operational and administrative issues affecting UN peacekeeping and in making recommendations on how missions should be structured, supported and conducted.
Nigeria’s assumption of the C-34 chairmanship builds on the country’s long-standing involvement in international peacekeeping.
Since the early years of UN peacekeeping, Nigeria has deployed its armed forces and police personnel to several international missions, particularly in Africa and other conflict-affected regions. The country has also played significant roles in regional peace and security efforts, including operations under the Economic Community of West African States framework.
Nigeria’s new leadership therefore places the country at the centre of negotiations over how UN peacekeeping should respond to changing security threats, how missions should be financed and how personnel and civilians can be better protected.
With the 2027 substantive session approaching, Ibrahim’s chairmanship is expected to focus on translating policy discussions into practical improvements in the field.
For Nigeria, the challenge will be to use its leadership of the committee to ensure that peacekeeping decisions are backed by adequate resources, informed by field realities and accompanied by clear standards of accountability.
The country is also expected to use the position to strengthen the voice of troop- and police-contributing nations, while ensuring that the protection of civilians remains central to the international community’s response to armed conflicts.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
