The country’s last membership tenure in the UNHRC ended in 2020. But in February, Nigeria declared interest in a Council seat.
Nigeria is among 15 countries elected to the 47-member United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for a three-year term.
The West African country got 172 votes — during the Council’s election held by the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday — out of 181 to get a place in the UNHRC. Nigeria, alongside 14 other members, will serve in the UNHRC from 2027 to 2029.
“In a single round of voting, the Assembly elected Brazil, Burundi, Dominican Republic, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Nepal, Nigeria, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Uruguay and Zambia to the Council for the next three years, with their terms commencing on 1 January 2027,” the UN wrote on its website. “They will replace 15 members whose terms expire on 31 December.”
Nigeria Elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the termReacting to the development, the Federal Government described Nigeria’s election to the Council as a reflection of the “international confidence in its commitment to advancing human rights and improving human rights conditions across the world”.
The Federal Government re-echoed its commitment to constructive multilateral engagement and supporting initiatives that uphold human dignity, justice and respect for fundamental freedoms.
The country’s last membership tenure in the UNHRC ended in 2020. But in February, Nigeria declared interest in a Council seat, expressing commitment to cooperate with the Council’s mechanisms.
“We’re also strengthening accountability through ongoing reforms and regional and international cooperation to ensure international human rights and humanitarian standards are mainstreamed into all internal security operations with the primary focus of protecting civilians,” then-Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar said.
“Nigeria remains resolute in its commitment to freedom of religion and belief. We view the peaceful coexistence of all faith communities as the essential foundation of our national unity. Nigeria remains resolute in ensuring a society where every citizen, regardless of creed or tribe, stands protected under the shield of justice.”
The UNHRC was established in 2006 and is saddled with strengthening, promoting, and protecting human rights around the world and “renews a third of its membership every year across the organisation’s five regional groupings on an equitable basis.”
Each member of the Council is elected for a three-year term, which is renewable only once.
