On 1 October 2023, MINURSO celebrated Nigeria’s National Day by raising its national flag at the Mission HQ in Laayoune.

The Day marks Nigeria's proclamation of independence from British rule on the 1 October 1960. 

Nigeria remains a major contributor of troops and police to United Nations peace operations and has done so for decades. The country first provided peacekeepers to the UN Mission in the Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in 1960 – the year of its own independence. 

Currently, 475 military and police officers are deployed in UN peacekeeping operations around the world which includes six within MINURSO.

The colours of its national flag stand for its natural wealth (green), and peace and unity (white).

Happy National Day Nigeria!