Nigeria Wins UN Human Rights Council Seat With 172 Votes

Nigeria has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2027 to 2029 term, securing 172 votes out of 181 cast during a secret ballot at the General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

The country will serve alongside fourteen other nations including Ghana, Zambia, Burundi, Brazil, Germany, Japan, and Ukraine on the 47-member council.

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the country’s election to the council.

The Geneva-based council is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights globally, reviewing countries’ human rights records periodically, and appointing independent investigators to report on issues such as torture and situations in specific countries.

Earlier this year, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar had formally declared Nigeria’s candidacy, describing the council as an important platform for dialogue, conflict prevention, and international cooperation on human rights.

Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with the council’s mechanisms, stating: “While no nation is immune, Nigeria’s experiences have only deepened our resolve to protect the right to life and the security of all citizens, especially our children whose right to learn in safety is a sacred priority”.

The election was not without criticism, as human rights groups noted that all fifteen candidates ran unchallenged for the second consecutive year.

Louis Charbonneau, U.N. director at Human Rights Watch, said: “This uncompetitive vote makes a mockery of the word ‘election.’ No one should have a seat on this crucial body handed to them on a silver platter”.

Human Rights Watch also said Nigeria should ensure accountability for serious crimes committed during the conflict with the armed group Boko Haram by all parties, including security forces.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric responded to questions about the uncontested vote, stating: “Member states who are elected to this organization’s highest human rights body have an added responsibility to protect human rights, not only in their own home country, but also to be strong advocates for human rights globally”.

Nigeria previously served on the Human Rights Council until 2020 after its re-election for the 2018 to 2020 term.