Nigeria received only three votes in its recent bid for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council during elections held on October 10, 2023. This outcome was seen as a significant diplomatic setback, as the country was vying for one of the four available seats reserved for African nations on the 47-member council. However, other African countries such as Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Malawi were successful in securing seats, with much stronger support from the General Assembly.
Nigeria’s poor showing in this election has been attributed to several factors, including concerns about the country’s human rights record, security challenges, and governance issues. Critics believe these internal issues might have influenced the UN member states’ perception of Nigeria’s suitability for a position on the Human Rights Council.
The low vote count marked a major contrast to Nigeria’s historical diplomatic standing on the international stage.
