United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Nigeria’s Participation: A Study of ECOMOG Missions

This study investigates Nigeria's participation in United Nations-affiliated and ECOWAS-mandated peacekeeping missions, with particular focus on the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG). Nigeria has been one of the most active troop-contributing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, deploying personnel across conflict zones in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali. Despite this extensive engagement, questions persist about the effectiveness of such interventions in achieving durable peace and about the costs imposed on Nigeria's domestic security apparatus. This research draws on liberal institutionalism and the theory of humanitarian intervention to analyse the motivations behind Nigeria's peacekeeping commitments and their outcomes. The study adopts a qualitative methodology, relying on content analysis of mission reports, National Assembly debates, and academic literature produced between 2020 and 2024. Field interviews with retired military officers in Abuja are also incorporated to provide primary insights. The research focuses on three completed missions to allow comparative assessment of mandate execution, civilian protection, and post-conflict reconstruction support. It is anticipated that findings will show Nigeria's contributions are driven by a combination of strategic interest, continental prestige, and normative commitment, but are weakened by inadequate logistical support and unclear exit strategies. The study provides recommendations for improving Nigeria's peacekeeping doctrine. Keywords: peacekeeping, ECOMOG, Nigeria, humanitarian intervention, West Africa.