What is Nigeria’s role in contemporary international politics?

Hosted by: NSW AIIA

The event will start on: Monday, 28 March 2011 6:00 PM

And will end on: Monday, 28 March 2011 7:30 PM

At The Glover Cottages, Sydney

124 Kent Street , Sydney NSW

(02) 9247 8504     nswexec@aiia.asn.au

Posted by: nsw   

“What is Nigeria’s role in contemporary international politics?”

Presentation by:

H.E. Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria

The Australia Institute of International Affairs is delighted to welcome to Sydney

Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, who has been president of the United Nations Human Rights Council, and is now permanent secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is a rare opportunity to meet one of Africa’s most significant diplomats, who is his country’s top foreign policy official.

Prior to his current appointment in 2010, Ambassador Uhomoibhi was

Nigeria's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in

Geneva. He also served as President of the UN Human Rights Council and was

President of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) General

Assemblies. He performed both roles to wide acclaim.

While in Geneva, he also served as Coordinator on Health Matters for the

African Group of Ambassadors at the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Ambassador Uhomoibhi was one of the most influential figures within the

Africa Group and many non-African developing countries.

Ambassador Uhomoibhi is a career diplomat and has held a number of

diplomatic appointments including in Ethiopia, the United States, and

Yugoslavia. Nigeria is a leading African nation, and an important member of

the Commonwealth and Ambassador Uhomoibhi is central to shaping its

international direction.

Nigeria’s growing input in international affairs

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, with a predominantly young society. About 70 per cent of the population is under 35, and taking an increasing interest in a vibrant democracy. While, not without its problems and religious and ethnic rivalries, this democracy has survived well for 22 years following years of military dictatorships, and will be tested again next month with a hotly contested presidential election.

Nigeria is also one of Africa’s few wealthy countries, thanks to a capital-intensive oil sector, which provides 95 per cent of its foreign exchange earnings, and abut 80 per cent of the nation’s budgetary needs. Utilizing this oil wealth to the maximum benefit of the people is hotly debated.

Nigeria is highly active in international affairs, and is a member of the current United Nations Security Council. Apart from playing a leading part in African affairs and development - one that mostly eluded it under military rule, Nigeria’s contribution to global energy, and its strong position in the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations, has pushed it to the fore.