Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after leading the country’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
This is as the Presidency has assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu is hale and hearty and expected to return to the country.
Shettima arrived in Nigeria after representing Tinubu at the annual gathering of world leaders, following his departure from Abuja on September 20 on the President’s mandate.
His return comes amid continued public attention over Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria. The President left the country on August 30 for a working vacation in Europe and later extended his stay in France.
A statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications said Shettima’s assignment at the United Nations allowed Nigeria to present its position on several international issues, including reform of the UN Security Council, development financing, climate support, regional integration and global economic cooperation.
During the General Debate of the 81st UN General Assembly, Shettima delivered Tinubu’s national statement, in which Nigeria renewed its demand for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council.
Nigeria also pushed for reforms that would provide fairer access to global financing, stronger support for climate-related initiatives and deeper cooperation among countries.
The Vice President further represented Nigeria at discussions on Africa’s mineral resources, where Tinubu’s position was presented on the need for African countries to move away from exporting raw minerals and instead develop local processing, manufacturing and value-added industries.
Shettima also participated in a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy. At the meeting, he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position that investment in education was essential to improving productivity, developing human capital and strengthening Nigeria’s long-term economic prospects.
Nigeria also backed the Global Partnership for Education’s campaign to raise $5 billion to support education financing.
Beyond formal diplomatic engagements, Shettima met with Nigerians living abroad and discussed the role of the diaspora in national development. He highlighted the importance of their investments, professional expertise and international networks to Nigeria’s growth.
The Vice President also held meetings with the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States Commission and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed.
According to the statement from the Office of the Vice President, the engagements provided an opportunity for Nigeria to advance its interests on development financing, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security and regional integration.
Shettima’s return comes as the Presidency continues to defend Tinubu’s decision to remain abroad after the President did not attend the UN General Assembly in person.
The Presidency has dismissed concerns about Tinubu’s absence, saying the President remains involved in the running of the country despite being outside Nigeria.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said on Sunday that Tinubu was “hale and hearty” and entitled to take a working vacation.
“President Tinubu is hale and hearty,” Onanuga said, adding that the President was “perfectly entitled” to take a working vacation.
He also argued that Tinubu did not need to be physically present in Abuja at all times to carry out his responsibilities, particularly with modern communication technology allowing him to remain in contact with government officials.
“In this digital age, he does not need to be physically present in Abuja to do the work for which he was elected in 2023,” Onanuga said.
The Presidency said Tinubu had continued to engage with developments in Nigeria while abroad and had also held meetings with investors and other stakeholders in France.
It specifically pointed to the President’s involvement in efforts surrounding a proposed $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside as an example of his continued official engagement while outside the country.
The Presidency had earlier announced that Tinubu’s working vacation, which began on August 30, would be extended by a few days. It initially said he would return at the weekend after the extension.
The latest information supplied by the Presidency indicates that Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29, through Lagos. He is also expected to take part in official activities linked to Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary on October 1 before returning to Abuja.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu is also expected to attend the premiere of a movie commemorating the late businessman and politician MKO Abiola during the Independence Day period.