Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York, United States. According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima departed Abuja on September 20, 2026, with the mandate of President Tinubu to lead Nigeria's delegation to the annual global event.
During his visit, Shettima delivered President Tinubu's National Statement at the UNGA's General Debate, where Nigeria renewed its call for reform of the UN Security Council. Nigeria demanded permanent African representation, fairer global financing, stronger climate support, and deeper multilateral cooperation. This is in line with Nigeria's efforts to promote a more representative and equitable global order.
Shettima also participated in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, where President Tinubu urged African countries to move beyond raw mineral exports towards processing, manufacturing, and value addition. This call is aimed at promoting economic development and diversification in Africa. The vice president's engagements at the UNGA81 further underscored Nigeria's commitment to regional integration and economic cooperation.
At a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy, Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to education as a critical investment in productivity, human capital, and national prosperity. He supported the Global Partnership for Education's $5 billion financing campaign, emphasizing the importance of investing in education. The event highlighted the need for increased funding for education to achieve sustainable development goals.
In addition to his engagements at the UNGA81, Shettima met with Nigerians in the Diaspora, where he stressed the importance of their investment, expertise, and networks to national development. The vice president also held meetings with the new leadership of the ECOWAS Commission and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. These meetings provided opportunities for Shettima to advance Nigeria's positions on development financing, regional integration, and economic cooperation.
Across the meetings, Shettima advanced Nigeria's positions on key issues, including development financing, regional integration, economic cooperation, technology, peace, and security. He reaffirmed President Tinubu's call for a more representative and equitable global order, emphasizing the need for Nigeria's voices to be heard on the global stage. The vice president's engagements at the UNGA81 demonstrated Nigeria's commitment to active participation in global affairs.
Shettima's return to Nigeria marks the end of his successful participation in the UNGA81, where he effectively represented President Tinubu and promoted Nigeria's interests. The vice president's delegation achieved significant outcomes, including Nigeria's renewed call for UN Security Council reform and the country's commitment to education and regional integration. His return was confirmed by Mr. Stanley Nkwocha on Monday in Abuja.
Key points
- Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- Nigeria renewed its call for reform of the UN Security Council, demanding permanent African representation and fairer global financing.
- Shettima met with Nigerians in the Diaspora, stressing the importance of their investment, expertise, and networks to national development.
