UNGA 81: Shettima returns to Nigeria after leading delegation to New York

Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and leading the country’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.

Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 with the mandate of President Tinubu to represent Nigeria at the annual gathering of world leaders and present the country’s position on issues of national, regional and global importance. The 81st UN General Assembly held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” Blueprint reports

During his participation at the General Assembly, the Vice President delivered Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of President Tinubu, using the global platform to restate the country’s position on reform of international institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council.

Nigeria renews call for UN Security Council reform

At the General Debate, Shettima renewed Nigeria’s call for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council, alongside broader reforms aimed at making the global body more representative of contemporary geopolitical realities.

The Nigerian delegation also advanced the country’s position on development financing, climate action, peace and security, technology access and multilateral cooperation.

The Federal Government had said ahead of the General Assembly that Nigeria’s participation would be guided by national interest, commitment to multilateralism and President Tinubu’s advocacy for reforms that would give developing countries a stronger voice in global decision-making.

Shettima’s participation also provided an opportunity for Nigeria to engage world leaders, international organisations and development partners on issues considered important to the country’s economic and diplomatic interests.

Africa’s mineral resources take centre stage

One of the major engagements of the Vice President during the visit was his participation in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group.

At the meeting, Shettima, representing President Tinubu, called for a shift away from Africa’s longstanding dependence on the export of raw minerals.

He argued that the continent’s vast mineral resources should be used to support processing, manufacturing and value addition within African countries, rather than being exported largely in unprocessed form.

The Federal Ministry of Information reported that the Vice President urged African countries to strengthen cooperation and develop industries around their critical mineral resources, with the broader objective of translating mineral wealth into jobs, industrial growth and improved living standards.

The issue is significant for Nigeria as the Federal Government continues to promote the development of the solid minerals sector as part of efforts to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil.

Nigeria, Italy back global education financing

Education financing was another major issue on Shettima’s agenda in New York.

At a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy, the Vice President reaffirmed Nigeria’s position that education represents a critical investment in human capital, productivity and long-term national development.

Shettima also expressed Nigeria’s support for the Global Partnership for Education’s campaign to mobilise $5 billion to strengthen education systems, particularly in developing countries.

Nigeria’s participation in the initiative formed part of the country’s broader advocacy for increased investment in education and improved access to quality learning opportunities.

The Federal Government has increasingly presented education, skills development and human capital investment as important components of its development agenda, with the Vice President using the international platform to highlight the sector’s importance to Nigeria’s future.

Engagement with Nigerians in Diaspora

The Vice President also met with members of the Nigerian community in the Diaspora during his stay in New York.

The engagement provided an opportunity for the government to highlight the contribution of Nigerians living abroad to national development, particularly through investment, professional expertise, technology, business networks and international connections.

Shettima stressed the importance of maintaining strong links between Nigerians abroad and the country, while encouraging the Diaspora community to continue contributing to Nigeria’s economic and social development.

The government has continued to identify the Nigerian Diaspora as an important source of investment and expertise, particularly in sectors requiring specialised knowledge and international partnerships.

ECOWAS, UN engagements

Shettima also held meetings with the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States Commission as part of his engagements during the UNGA week.

The meetings provided an opportunity to discuss regional integration and cooperation at a time when West Africa continues to face security, economic and political challenges.

The Vice President also met with United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, with discussions touching on issues of importance to Nigeria and the wider African continent.

His engagements with regional and international institutions formed part of Nigeria’s effort to strengthen multilateral partnerships and promote its interests within the international system.

Advancing Nigeria’s diplomatic priorities

Across the various engagements, Shettima presented Nigeria’s positions on a range of issues, including development financing, economic cooperation, regional integration, technology, climate action, peace and security.

The Federal Government said the Vice President’s participation was also aimed at advancing President Tinubu’s economic diplomacy and deepening strategic partnerships with countries, international institutions and development organisations.

Before the General Debate, Shettima had joined other world leaders and heads of delegation at the United Nations Headquarters and attended a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

He also participated in several high-level meetings and bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

The Nigerian delegation included governors, ministers and other senior government officials. Among those who participated in various aspects of the delegation’s engagements were Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Minister of Defence Christopher Musa (retd.), Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and other senior officials.

Return follows completion of UNGA engagements

Shettima’s return to Nigeria followed the conclusion of his scheduled engagements in New York.

His trip was undertaken against the backdrop of President Tinubu’s absence from the General Assembly, with the President having mandated his deputy to represent him at the global gathering while Tinubu remained on an extended working vacation in Europe. The State House had earlier confirmed that Shettima would lead the Nigerian delegation and deliver the country’s national statement.

With the Vice President now back in Nigeria, the Federal Government is expected to continue following up on the diplomatic, economic and development issues raised during the General Assembly.

The government is also expected to sustain engagements with international partners on Nigeria’s priorities, particularly development financing, investment, education, climate support, technology, regional integration and reform of global institutions.

Shettima’s participation at the 81st UN General Assembly therefore provided Nigeria with a platform to articulate its positions on issues ranging from Security Council reform and African representation to mineral beneficiation, education financing and regional cooperation.

The Vice President’s return marks the conclusion of Nigeria’s high-level participation in this year’s UNGA, where the government sought to advance its stated interests while strengthening engagement with international partners and reaffirming its call for a more representative and equitable global order.