Nigeria targets UN Security Council seat after CEDAW victory — Envoy

The Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim, says Nigeria will secure election into the UN Security Council next year.

Jimoh was reacting after Nigeria’s candidate, Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia, was elected to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, CEDAW, on Friday.

The Nigerian diplomat described the victory as another milestone demonstrating Nigeria’s renewed diplomatic influence and active engagement within the United Nations system.

He congratulated President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, and Nigerian women on the achievement.

The envoy said the victory reflected the Tinubu administration’s commitment to advancing women, children and young people on the global stage.

He noted that Eghobamien-Mshelia would serve a new term on the international committee, strengthening Nigeria’s voice on gender equality.

Jimoh recalled that since assuming office at the UN only weeks ago, Nigeria had won three major international elections.

According to him, Prof. Femi Elias was elected to the International Law Commission, Egbobamien-Mshelia secured re-election to CEDAW, while he emerged Chairman of the UN Budget Committee.

He also hailed the appointment of Mrs Ahunna Eziakonwa as Special Adviser to UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Africa.

He said the achievements underscored Nigeria’s growing diplomatic credibility and strategic engagement within multilateral institutions.

He said Nigeria’s UN winning streak would continue, adding that CEDAW victory has again boosted the country’s global standing.

Jimoh said Tinubu gave him a clear mandate to secure Nigeria’s election into the UN Security Council.

“The election of Nigeria into the Security Council next year will be my biggest gift to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians,” he said.

The ambassador had, during a meeting with the Association of Nigerians in the UN system last Friday, publicly assured Eghobamien-Mshelia of victory.

“I can assure you that by next week, we will deliver her again into that position,” Ibrahim said.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on her victory, Eghobamien-Mshelia expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Government for nominating her for the election.

She also thanked Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN for leading an intensive diplomatic campaign that secured broad African support.

According to her, Jimoh personally coordinated consultations in spite of the presence of 10 African candidates contesting for the available positions.

“It took a lot of gravitas on his part to convince others to give Nigeria the votes that carried us across the finish line,” she said.

She pledged to consolidate Nigeria’s leadership on the committee by promoting inclusive digital governance protecting African women and women globally.

Eghobamien-Mshelia said her priority would be ensuring emerging digital technologies advance livelihoods while safeguarding women’s rights worldwide.

NAN reports that 20 candidates contested for 12 seats with 10 candidates from Africa while only Nigeria, Egypt and Uganda won re-election.

Nigeria secured 123 votes in the keenly-contested election to emerge among the countries elected into the UN women-focused body.

The CEDAW Committee is a UN body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and promoting gender equality worldwide
NAN