Shettima Returns to Nigeria After Representing Tinubu at UNGA 81 in New York

Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived back in Nigeria on Monday, September 28, following his representation of President Bola Tinubu at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States. Shettima had left Abuja on September 20 to head Nigeria’s delegation to the annual meeting. Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, confirmed the Vice President’s return in a statement and shared a video on X. According to the statement, Shettima presented Tinubu’s national address during the General Debate. In that address, Nigeria again called for reform of the UN Security Council, seeking permanent representation for Africa, more equitable global financing, increased climate assistance and expanded multilateral collaboration. The Vice President took part in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group. There, Tinubu encouraged African nations to shift away from exporting raw minerals and toward processing, manufacturing and adding value. At a high-level education financing event jointly hosted by Nigeria and Italy, Shettima restated Nigeria’s view that education is a vital investment in productivity, human capital and national prosperity. He also backed the Global Partnership for Education’s $5 billion financing campaign. Shettima also met with Nigerians living abroad, emphasizing that their investments, skills and connections are important to the country’s development. His other engagements included discussions with the new leadership of the ECOWAS Commission and with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed. Through these meetings, Shettima promoted Nigeria’s positions on development financing, regional integration, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security. He also repeated Tinubu’s appeal for a global order that is more representative and equitable.