NIGERIA received $60m in funding from the United Nations (UN) to help cover the cost of today's elections as part of the international community's contribution to ensure that the polls are free and fair. 

Given Nigeria's size and the possible impact a disputed election could have across Africa, the United Nations is keen to ensure that the polls are credible and seen to be free and fair. Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the UN secretary-general's high level representative to Nigeria, said the body was interested in Nigeria’s elections because the country is too important for the sub-region, the region and the world at large. 

Dr Chambas said: “Several months even before this election, the UN deployed a Needs Assessment Mission and based on that needs assessment mission, certain areas were identified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) in particular. But also by the National Human Rights Commission and many civil society organisations as to where they could benefit from institutional strengthening and human resource capacity building. 

“We then came up with a budget which amounted to almost $60m. This was mobilised for members-states and other international organisations and has been provided to Nigerian various institutions and organisations in the process of preparing towards this election." 

He added that one particular intervention he is personally proud of is the creation of the National Peace Council which was an initiative out of the UN. Dr Chambas added that to get a group of Nigerian eminent personalities and respected citizens to come together and to lead the clarion call for peaceful, credible elections, was a great achievement. 

He added that out of this peace council, the two leading candidates, President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari re-affirmed their commitment to the Abuja Peace Accord. He said the UN was trying to be of constructive value to Nigeria in ensuring peaceful, credible elections.