Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 following President Tinubu’s directive to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual high-level global gathering.
According to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President delivered President Tinubu’s national statement during the General Debate, where Nigeria renewed its call for reforms to the United Nations Security Council.
The statement said Tinubu reaffirmed his call for a more representative and equitable global order, with Nigeria advocating permanent African representation on the Security Council, fairer global financing, stronger climate support and deeper multilateral cooperation.
At the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, Shettima, on behalf of the President, urged African countries to move beyond the export of raw minerals and prioritise processing, manufacturing and value addition.
He also represented Nigeria at a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy, where he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to education and expressed support for the Global Partnership for Education’s $5 billion financing campaign.
Shettima described education as “a critical investment in productivity, human capital and national prosperity.”
During the visit, the Vice President also engaged members of the Nigerian diaspora, highlighting the importance of their investments, expertise and international networks to Nigeria’s development.
He further held meetings with the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States Commission and the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed.
According to the statement, the discussions focused on development financing, regional integration, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security.
Shettima’s return marks the conclusion of Nigeria’s participation in the 81st UN General Assembly, where the country used the platform to advance its positions on global governance, African representation, development financing, education and economic cooperation.
