Nigeria has joined 163 other countries in endorsing an African-led United Nations resolution seeking fairer cartographic representation of Africa on world maps.

The resolution, titled “Correct the Map: Rebalancing global cartographic representation and promoting equitable representation of the world’s regions, particularly Africa,” was adopted by the UN General Assembly by 164 votes to one, with six countries abstaining.

The United States was the only country to vote against the resolution, while Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine abstained.

The initiative challenges conventional world maps, particularly projections based on the Mercator system, which advocates say make Africa appear significantly smaller than its actual geographical size.

Africa covers approximately 30 million square kilometres, making it the world’s second-largest continent by both land area and population.

Togo led negotiations on behalf of the African Group, building on an African Union-backed campaign for more accurate representation of the continent.

Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey told the General Assembly that maps were not merely technical illustrations but powerful tools that influence how people perceive the world.