Nigeria has overseen major appointments to two United Nations bodies after Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, the country’s permanent representative to the UN, chaired an electoral session of the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee.
The exercise, held during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, resulted in the selection of candidates from Mauritania and Israel for positions in international oversight and civil service institutions.
Mauritania’s candidate, C.D. Mohammed, emerged as the preferred nominee for Chair of the International Civil Service Commission after securing 102 votes against Zimbabwe’s Mrs. Maria, who received 82 votes.
Mohammed crossed the required 93-vote threshold and was recommended to the General Assembly for a four-year tenure beginning January 1, 2027.
In a separate election, Israel’s Shai Mazai obtained 134 votes to secure a recommendation for membership of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee, representing the Group of Western European and Other States.
His proposed appointment is for a three-year term, also commencing on January 1, 2027.
The elections were conducted under Agenda Item 119, which deals with filling vacancies in subsidiary UN bodies and making other institutional appointments.
Other organisations covered by the exercise included the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, the Committee on Contributions and the Investment Committee.
Nigeria’s Ibrahim also supervised the recommendation of candidates from other regional groups to the International Civil Service Commission. These nominations were approved through acclamation because there were no competing candidates for the available positions.
To promote transparency during the voting process, Ibrahim directed that ballot boxes be opened for inspection by delegates before voting began.
At the end of the exercise, the Nigerian diplomat praised participating representatives for their cooperation and patience throughout the proceedings. He also congratulated the successful nominees and urged them to maintain high standards of integrity in their new responsibilities.
Ibrahim further acknowledged the contributions of election officials and representatives appointed by member states to oversee the voting process.
He subsequently brought the committee’s consideration of Agenda Item 119 to a close and directed that its decisions be forwarded to the General Assembly for further action.
