Nigeria has won election for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations (UN) Security Council alongside Gabon and Brazil.

Assembly President, Ali Treki, announced the results – 186 votes for Nigeria, 184 for Gabon, 183 for Bosnia, 182 for Brazil and 180 for Lebanon and declared the five countries elected to terms beginning January 1, 2010.

“It's going to be an even stronger Security Council, I think, next year, “Britain's UN Ambassador John Sawers was quoted as saying.

The last time Nigeria sat at the Council was 15 years ago – 1994/95. It was its third time. The African Union (UN) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) supported the latest bid by endorsing Nigeria's candidacy.

The federal government of Nigeria yesterday expressed satisfaction over news of the election of Nigeria into the United Nations Security Council, describing the development as a clear endorsement of the leadership of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and the seven-point agenda of his administration.

In a statement issued by Nigeria's information Minister, the Nigerian government views the development as an appreciation of Nigeria's leading contributions to peacekeeping operations around the world.

"The election is also coming at a time when Nigeria is set to host the world in the U-17 FIFA World Football Championship expected to commence in the country in a few days' time. By the election, Nigeria is now among the privileged but few eminent nations expected to sit in the United Nations Security Council to evolve policies and make decisions on conflict prevention, management and resolution for sustenance of world peace and security."

The statement continued, "Nigeria wishes to reassure the international community that its permanent representative in the United Nations, Prof. Joy Ogwu is a renowned diplomat whose contributions to deliberations will certainly enrich debates. The federal government wishes to express her appreciation to all friendly nations whose support made the election possible".