Defence Minister Musa Reaffirms Nigeria’s Commitment to Human Rights in Talks with UN Official
Oru Leonard
Abuja, June 24, 2026 — The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding international humanitarian law and globally accepted human rights standards in military operations as it seeks to strengthen collaboration with the United Nations on victims’ rights advocacy.
The assurance was given by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, during a diplomatic working visit by the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Victims’ Rights Advocate, Najla Nassif Palma, and her delegation at the Ship House in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, the minister briefed the visiting UN team on measures put in place by the Federal Government to address historical issues arising from past foreign peacekeeping operations involving Nigerian personnel.
Musa said the government had established a transparent communication framework to facilitate the resolution of long-standing paternity claims linked to legacy peacekeeping missions in Liberia, with the aim of bringing closure to the decades-old matter.
During the meeting, Palma disclosed that 42 legacy cases are currently under review and appealed for Nigeria’s cooperation in ensuring justice and redress for affected victims. She noted that some of the individuals involved had expressed interest in obtaining Nigerian citizenship.
The UN official emphasized the importance of continued engagement between both parties to address outstanding concerns and ensure victims receive the support and recognition they deserve.
At the end of the meeting, Nigeria and the United Nations agreed to institutionalise a stronger partnership focused on human rights protection and victims’ rights advocacy.
The collaboration is expected to include specialised training programmes, joint workshops and capacity-building initiatives aimed at further integrating human rights principles into the operational framework of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The Ministry of Defence said the partnership underscores Nigeria’s commitment to accountability, justice and the protection of human rights in line with international obligations.
