Brigadier-General Edward Koleoso, Nigeria’s Defence Adviser to the United Nations, has emphasized Nigeria’s significant contributions to global peace, particularly in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Koleoso revealed that Nigeria invested over $9 billion to assist in the liberation of these two countries during their civil wars.
Koleoso made this statement during a visit by participants of the United States Army War College to the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN in New York on Monday. He detailed that Nigeria’s commitment to peacekeeping was not limited to financial contributions, but also involved significant human and material resources.
“Noteworthy also that these two missions alone cost the Nigerian government well over nine billion dollars to execute,” Koleoso said. “Quite a number of my colleagues, seniors, and subordinates, we lost a couple of officers and men in all these peacekeeping operations. But Nigeria never asked for any form of compensation, nothing. It was just done out of benevolence to show that we have the interests of others at heart and are committed to international peace and security.”
The Defence Adviser expressed pride in the peace and stability both Liberia and Sierra Leone have experienced in recent years. He pointed out that Sierra Leone, which once faced severe turmoil, now serves as a Non-Permanent Member of the UN Security Council.
“It’s comforting to note that Sierra Leone presently sits at the UN Security Council as a Non-Permanent Member today. These are some of the things my dear country has done within our sub-region,” Koleoso said.
Koleoso recounted the challenges Nigeria faced during the onset of the Liberian crisis in 1990 when the Organization of African Unity lacked the resources for mediation. At the same time, the United Nations was preoccupied with the conflict in Yugoslavia, leaving ECOWAS to address the Liberian conflict.
“Nigeria took the lead in rallying other countries within the sub-region to form the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG),” he noted. “ECOMOG went in and restored law and order in the country. From there, the United Nations came in.”
Koleoso also highlighted Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to global peacekeeping, noting that the country has contributed more than 200,000 peacekeepers to 41 UN missions worldwide.
“From independence till date, Nigeria has contributed over 200,000 peacekeeping forces to United Nations operations globally,” he said. “Nigeria has also participated in 41 peacekeeping missions ranging from Africa, Asia, Europe, to the Middle East, amongst many others.”
He further cited Nigeria’s military involvement in peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Mali, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, and most recently, the Republic of Benin, underscoring the nation’s dedication to global peace and security.
