Nigeria has reaffirmed its “total support” for the United Nations, stressing the organisation’s critical role in promoting global peace, humanitarian action and sustainable development.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja when the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, paid him a courtesy visit.

Enikanolaiye said Nigeria remained committed to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and would continue to support the organisation despite the changing global strategic environment and growing funding challenges.

The minister commended the UN for its longstanding support to Nigeria through its agencies, funds and programmes, particularly in vulnerable and crisis-affected communities.

He described the United Nations as a strategic partner in humanitarian response, development cooperation and peacebuilding, noting that its interventions had contributed significantly to efforts to improve the lives of people in difficult circumstances.

“For us as a country, we value our relationship with the United Nations. We participate actively in the maintenance of international peace and security and in advancing the other purposes for which the UN was established,” Enikanolaiye said.

“We are always pleased to engage with the UN because your work supports our people and contributes to Nigeria’s success. I wish to pledge our total support for the United Nations.”

The minister also welcomed what he described as a shift in strategic thinking within the UN system, saying new approaches were necessary to respond effectively to emerging global and humanitarian challenges.

He called for greater involvement of the private sector in mobilising resources for development and humanitarian interventions, particularly amid dwindling traditional sources of funding.

According to him, innovative financing mechanisms and stronger partnerships would be crucial to sustaining development programmes and humanitarian assistance.

Earlier, Fall described Nigeria as his “second home” as he prepares to end his assignment in the country later this year after nearly 10 years of service.

Fall served previously with UNICEF in Nigeria before becoming the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.

He praised Nigeria for its enduring contribution to the United Nations, describing the country as a committed Member State and an important champion of the organisation’s ideals.

He also recalled Nigeria’s historic leadership in regional peacekeeping, particularly its role in ECOMOG, saying the country had played a significant part in advancing peace and security in West Africa and beyond.

The engagement came as the UN and its member states face mounting humanitarian needs, funding pressures and a rapidly changing global strategic landscape, making stronger partnerships with countries such as Nigeria increasingly important.