Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has praised Nigeria’s historical contributions to global peace, freedom and liberation movements, urging Nigerians to take pride in the country’s record and resist efforts to discredit it.
Sani made the remarks during his goodwill message at the National Assembly Open Week in Abuja on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, he reflected on Nigeria’s role in international peacekeeping and anti-colonial struggles across Africa.
“It is an undeniable fact that few nations on earth have contributed as much to the freedom, dignity and peace of humanity as Nigeria,” Sani said, arguing that the country deserves greater historical recognition for its global sacrifices.
Highlighting Nigeria’s role during the Second World War, Sani said the country contributed about 46,000 troops who fought alongside the Allied forces against Adolf Hitler’s Germany, Benito Mussolini’s Italy and Japanese imperialism in Southeast Asia.
“In WWII, Nigeria supplied around 46,000 troops who fought against Hitler, Mussolini’s Italy, and Japanese imperialism in Southeast Asia,” he said.
Sani also pointed to Nigeria’s post-independence peacekeeping efforts, claiming the country played significant roles in restoring peace in Congo and Tanzania as part of its foreign policy commitment to peace and regional stability.
He further highlighted Nigeria’s support for liberation movements in Southern Africa, saying the country provided political and material assistance to nations fighting colonial rule and apartheid.
“Nigeria provided political and material support to liberation fighters in Southern Africa during their fight against colonialism and apartheid. In that great fight for freedom, our nation was acknowledged as a frontline state,” he said.
According to Sani, these historical contributions should inspire Nigerians to defend the country’s reputation whenever it is unfairly criticised internationally.
He urged public officials and citizens to recognise Nigeria’s democratic history and the progress the country has made, stressing that patriotism should be rooted in preserving the nation’s honour as well as celebrating its achievements.
Sani concluded by encouraging Nigerians to take pride in their country’s history and acknowledge its contributions to global peace and freedom.
