The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Sunday expressed profound joy and appreciation over the declaration of July 7 as World Amotekun Day by the United Nations (UN), describing the development as a “major international validation” of the South-West security initiative.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere lauded the UN and the Southwest governors, particularly the late Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who spearheaded the formation of the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), codenamed Amotekun.
Ajayi said: “The recognition of Amotekun by the United Nations is unprecedented and a significant morale booster. It is a testament to the visionary leadership of those who birthed and sustained the security network against all odds.”
This global recognition was formalised last week when Ambassador Peer Stafsen, President of the World Peace (an affiliate of the UN), through a delegation led by Ambassador Dr. Markwili Mgbara, presented a Certificate of Affiliation to the Commandant of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, in Akure.
The certificate was issued under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the International Association of World Peace Advocates.
With this affiliation, Amotekun has now been granted observer status at United Nations meetings on global security and human rights, starting with the 80th UN General Assembly in New York on September 22, 2025.
Ambassador Stafsen affirmed that the certification “confirms the affiliation of Ondo State Amotekun Corps as a trained security unit recognized by the United Nations,” adding that Amotekun’s activities align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in promoting peace, safety, and human rights.
According to Afenifere, Amotekun’s journey from regional initiative to global recognition is remarkable, particularly given the initial opposition from the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari. The group recalled how attempts were made to frustrate the corps in its formative stages, but the unity and resilience of the South-West governors ensured its survival.
Amotekun was formally launched on January 9, 2020, in Ibadan by governors of the South-West states—Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, and Lagos—following a security summit organized by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission in June 2019.
Since its inception, Amotekun has played a vital role in combating armed banditry, protecting farmers, reducing crime rates, and enhancing highway safety across the region.
As part of its new responsibilities, the corps will now collaborate with multiple UN agencies, including the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), UN Environment Programme, and agencies combatting human trafficking, small arms proliferation, and gender-based violence.
Afenifere urged the South-West governors to leverage this historic UN recognition by equipping the corps with advanced tools, resources, and adequate welfare to enhance their operational effectiveness.
“It is time to take Amotekun to the next level,” Ajayi stated. “The international spotlight on the corps places a huge responsibility on its backers to ensure that it continues to live up to its mandate.”
The organisation also reiterated its longstanding call for the establishment of state police, saying that regional security outfits like Amotekun are critical to reducing crime and ensuring safety in Nigeria’s federating units.
Afenifere added that the recognition of Amotekun is not just a victory for the Yoruba people but a beacon of hope for indigenous security solutions across Africa.
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