Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he advanced Nigeria’s positions on UN reform, global financing, climate action and African development.
Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 with Tinubu’s mandate to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual global gathering.
At the General Debate, the Vice President delivered Tinubu’s national statement, renewing Nigeria’s call for reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Nigeria specifically called for permanent African representation on the council, alongside fairer global financing, stronger climate support and deeper multilateral cooperation.
Shettima also participated in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group.
At the session, Tinubu urged African countries to move beyond exporting raw minerals and prioritise processing, manufacturing and value addition.
The Vice President also represented Nigeria at a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to education as a critical investment in productivity, human capital development and national prosperity.
Shettima also supported the Global Partnership for Education’s $5bn financing campaign.
During his stay in New York, the Vice President met Nigerians in the Diaspora, stressing the importance of their investments, expertise and networks to Nigeria’s development.
He also held meetings with the new leadership of the ECOWAS Commission and the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed.
The engagements focused on development financing, regional integration, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security.
Shettima also advanced Nigeria’s position on Tinubu’s call for a more representative and equitable global order.
The Vice President’s return comes after a week of diplomatic engagements in which Nigeria sought to strengthen its voice on issues affecting Africa and the wider international community.