Finland has expressed support for stronger African representation in the UN Security Council and other global decision-making bodies.
Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Sanna Selin, said this at the Ambassador’s Forum of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos.
The forum, held on Tuesday, was titled, ‘Nigeria-Finland Relations.’
Selin said Finland believed African countries should have a stronger voice in the UN system because global realities had changed.
She said Finland was seeking election to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for the 2029-2030 term.
She said Finland formally launched its campaign in June, with the election scheduled for 2028.
The ambassador said Finland was committed to peacekeeping and mediation, noting that both countries had contributed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations.
According to her, Finland’s Security Council bid formed part of its broader commitment to multilateral cooperation, peace and international security.
Selin said Nigeria and Finland could deepen cooperation in addressing global challenges, which were increasingly crossing national borders.
“The global challenges we are all facing today are borderless and cooperation is the key, as well as willingness to learn from each other,” she said.
She said her mission in Nigeria was to strengthen understanding between both countries and identify areas of mutual benefit.
Selin said Finland was strengthening cooperation with Nigeria in digitalisation, innovation, cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
She identified digitalisation, energy, health and circular economy solutions as key areas of Finland’s interest in Nigeria.
She said Nigeria and Finland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Digitalisation and Innovation in March 2026.
According to her, the agreement seeks to expand cooperation in digital governance, emerging technologies and cybersecurity.
The ambassador said Finland was leading a 23 million-euro European Union-backed initiative to strengthen Nigeria’s digital public services.
She said the initiative would also support technology talent training under Nigeria’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.
On Finland’s foreign policy, Selin said its approach was founded on “value-based realism”.
She said the policy sought to safeguard national independence, territorial integrity, and the security and wellbeing of Finnish citizens.
Selin said Finland’s accession to NATO in 2023 integrated its national defence into the alliance’s collective deterrence and defence framework.
She said the move ended Finland’s historic policy of military non-alignment.
The ambassador also highlighted Finland’s ranking as the world’s happiest country for nine consecutive years.
She attributed the ranking to societal trust, welfare and security, work-life balance and a close connection with nature.
“Finland has stable safety nets, universal healthcare and equal access to world-class education that remove the fear of failure,” she said.
She added that Finland offered easy access to forests, 188,000 lakes and opportunities for responsible foraging and outdoor activities.
Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, Director-General, NIIA, said Finland had become an important partner to Nigeria in digital governance and technology.
Osaghae said the March 2026 MoU was particularly important to Nigeria’s ambition of achieving a one-trillion-dollar economy.
“Finland has proven its excellence in the community of nations in digital governance,” he said.
He said Finland had also helped Nigeria mobilise European Union support for programmes focused on digital infrastructure and digitalisation.
According to him, Nigeria needs, to learn from Finland’s experience in education, welfare and care for citizens. (NAN)
