By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.

The United Nations has commended Nigeria for its outstanding contributions to global peacekeeping operations, revealing that the country has deployed more than 200,000 troops and personnel to peace support missions across the world over the past five decades.

The commendation came during the commemoration of the 2026 United Nations International Day of Peacekeepers held at the United Nations House in Abuja, where senior government officials, security chiefs, diplomats and peacekeeping veterans gathered to honour the sacrifices and achievements of peacekeepers.

Speaking at the event, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Malick Fall, said Nigeria had consistently answered the call of peace since the 1960s, participating in 41 peace support missions globally and earning international recognition for the professionalism and dedication of its peacekeepers.

“For more than five decades, Nigeria has answered the call of peace. Nigerian peacekeepers have served with distinction across Africa and beyond. Since the 1960s, Nigeria has contributed more than 200,000 troops and personnel to peace operations and has participated in 41 peace support missions globally,” Fall said.

He noted that Nigeria currently deploys 335 uniformed peacekeepers to United Nations missions, including 138 officers from the Nigeria Police Force, thereby sustaining its longstanding commitment to international peace and security.

The event, themed “Invest in Peace,” highlighted the importance of sustained efforts and resources in building stable and secure societies.

Fall described the theme as a simple but powerful message, stressing that peace remains the foundation for sustainable development and human progress.

“Every investment in peace is an investment in humanity,” he said, echoing the position of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

According to him, peace is built through deliberate investments in institutions, education, justice systems and communities, rather than through military interventions alone.

The UN official disclosed that more than two million people have served under the United Nations flag since 1948, while over 87,000 military, police and civilian personnel are currently engaged in peacekeeping operations worldwide.

He paid tribute to peacekeepers who lost their lives in the line of duty, describing their sacrifices as a lasting legacy in the pursuit of global peace and stability.

“We gather not only to honour those who serve, but also to remember those who never returned home. Their legacy will continue to live on,” he said.

Fall also commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for its continued support for peacebuilding efforts at home and abroad, noting that peacekeeping and development are mutually reinforcing.

The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shuaibu, reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to international peace and security, describing the theme as timely amid growing global security challenges.

He said meaningful peace can only be achieved through strategic investments in institutions, partnerships, dialogue and human development, while calling for adequate resources to support peacekeepers in carrying out their mandates effectively.

Similarly, Assistant Commissioner of Police Janet Salami, a former United Nations peacekeeper and Nigerian Contingent Commander in South Sudan between 2022 and 2024, emphasized the need for continuous investment in training, logistics, communications and operational readiness.
Salami noted that peacekeeping remains a demanding but rewarding responsibility that requires courage, resilience and commitment.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said peacekeepers embody humanity’s collective determination to build a safer and more peaceful world.

He praised Nigerian police officers serving in United Nations, African Union and regional peace missions, noting that their professionalism has enhanced Nigeria’s standing in the international community.

Disu, however, warned that emerging threats such as terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime, cybercrime, climate-related insecurity and forced displacement continue to test global peacebuilding efforts.
“Peace cannot be taken for granted. It must be deliberately built, nurtured and sustained,” he said.

The event also featured a virtual address by the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who joined participants in paying tribute to peacekeepers serving in conflict zones around the world.

The ceremony concluded with renewed calls for stronger investments in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, institution-building and inclusive development, as stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to global peace and security.