Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Shettima left Abuja on September 20 with a clear mandate from the President to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual high-level gathering. During the General Debate, he delivered President Tinubu’s National Statement, in which Nigeria strongly renewed its call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council. The statement demanded permanent African representation, fairer global financing mechanisms, stronger climate support, and deeper multilateral cooperation.
Beyond the main debate, the Vice President took part in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group. There, he conveyed President Tinubu’s message urging African nations to shift from simply exporting raw minerals to processing, manufacturing, and creating greater value on the continent.
At a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy, Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to education as a strategic investment in human capital, productivity, and national prosperity. He also voiced support for the Global Partnership for Education’s ambitious $5 billion financing campaign.
During the visit, the Vice President held interactive sessions with members of the Nigerian diaspora, emphasising the critical role their investments, skills, and networks can play in driving national development. He also held bilateral meetings with the new leadership of the ECOWAS Commission and United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed. Discussions focused on development financing, regional integration, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security, and President Tinubu’s broader vision for a more representative and equitable global order.
Shettima’s engagements in New York underscored Nigeria’s determination to shape international conversations on Africa’s future and global governance reform.