Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu and leading the Nigerian delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
Shettima returned to Nigeria on Monday, September 28, after departing Abuja on September 20 for the annual gathering of world leaders. His return was announced by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.
During his visit, Shettima delivered President Tinubu’s national statement at the General Debate, where Nigeria renewed its call for reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Nigeria called for permanent African representation on the Security Council, alongside fairer global financing, stronger climate support and deeper multilateral cooperation.
The Vice President also participated in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, where Nigeria pushed for African countries to move beyond exporting raw minerals and place greater emphasis on local processing, manufacturing and value addition.
At an education financing event jointly hosted by Nigeria and Italy, Shettima reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position that education remains an important investment in productivity, human capital and national development.
Nigeria also supported the Global Partnership for Education’s $5bn financing campaign, according to the Presidency.
Shettima’s engagements extended beyond the United Nations General Assembly.
He met with members of the Nigerian diaspora, where he highlighted the importance of their investments, expertise and international networks to Nigeria’s development.
The Vice President also held discussions with the new leadership of the ECOWAS Commission and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed.
According to the Presidency, the meetings focused on issues including development financing, regional integration, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security, as well as Nigeria’s position on reforms to make international institutions more representative.
Shettima’s UNGA trip came after President Tinubu directed him to represent the President at the gathering while Tinubu remained abroad on an extended working vacation. The State House had announced that Shettima would lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA and deliver the country’s national statement.
With Shettima now back in Nigeria, his return marks the end of his week-long diplomatic assignment in New York.
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