NIGERIAN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS REVISITED

Abstract

In other to be attuned with Nigeria’s current peacekeeping efforts, the article explores Nigeria’s peacekeeping operations in the world. The article identifies the doctrine of collective security as the theoretical basis for practical substantiation of Nigeria’s participation in international peacekeeping. Furthermore, peacekeeping was differentiated from peacemaking, peace enforcement, peace maintenance and peace building. The article reveals that Nigeria has been an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping missions, deploying military contingents, unarmed military observers, military staff officers, formed police units, police advisors and civilian experts to more than 40 UN missions. Nigeria is currently one of the largest UN contributing countries with military and civilian personnel deployed in various parts of the world. However, any serious assessment of Nigeria’s participation in the peacekeeping operations will reveal that the country is yet to reap the benefit of her contributions due to some problems. Such as the lack of effective organization to coordinate peace keeping operations, prevent improper accounting and make effective use of reimbursements. Until these issues are properly addressed, Nigerian peacekeepers will continue to suffer.