The Politics of Nigeria’s Permanent Membership Campaign for the UN Security Council

This study analyses Nigeria's long-standing advocacy for African representation in an expanded United Nations Security Council, examining the diplomatic strategies, coalition-building efforts, and structural obstacles associated with the Ezulwini Consensus position on UNSC reform. Nigeria has been among the most vocal advocates for UNSC reform, arguing for a minimum of two permanent seats for Africa with full veto rights as part of any expansion of the Council's permanent membership. Drawing on status competition theory and multilateral governance reform frameworks, this research examines Nigeria's UNSC reform diplomacy from 2019 to 2024, focusing on its engagement with the Intergovernmental Negotiations process, the G4 reform coalition, and bilateral lobbying of permanent members. The study employs a qualitative methodology, drawing on UN General Assembly records, Nigeria's official reform proposals, bilateral diplomatic statements, and academic literature on UNSC reform politics. Interviews with former Nigerian UN Permanent Representatives and reform campaign strategists provide primary insights. Findings are expected to show that Nigeria's UNSC reform campaign has generated strong normative arguments but limited tangible progress, constrained by great power resistance, intra-African disagreements over the content of reform, and doubts about Nigeria's governance credibility as a potential permanent member. Recommendations address recalibrating Nigeria's reform strategy. Keywords: UNSC reform, Nigeria, permanent membership, multilateral governance, Ezulwini Consensus.