JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
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 a mandate from President Tinubu to represent Nigeria at the annual meeting of world leaders and present the country’s position on issues of national, regional and global importance. The 81st United Nations General Assembly was held under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that serves all”. Project reports
During his participation in the General Assembly, the Vice President delivered Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of President Tinubu, using the global platform to reaffirm the country’s position on the reform of international institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council.
Nigeria renews its call for reform of the United Nations Security Council
At the general debate, Shettima renewed Nigeria’s call for permanent African representation in the United Nations 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, access to technology and multilateral cooperation.
The federal government had said before 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 Nigeria with the opportunity to engage world leaders, international organizations and development partners on issues considered important to the country’s economic and diplomatic interests.
Africa’s mineral resources are in the spotlight
One of the Vice President’s major engagements during the visit was his participation in the third high-level roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group.
During the meeting, Shettima, representing President Tinubu, called for abandoning Africa’s long-standing dependence on the export of raw minerals.
He argued that the continent’s vast mineral resources should be used to support processing, production 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 aim 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 and Italy support global education funding
Education funding was another major issue on Shettima’s agenda in New York.
At a high-level event on education financing jointly 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 mobilize $5 billion to strengthen education systems, particularly in developing countries.
Nigeria’s participation in the initiative is part of the country’s broader commitment to greater 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 importance of the sector to Nigeria’s future.
Engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora
During his stay in New York, the Vice President also met with members of the Nigerian diaspora community.
The commitment provided the government with an opportunity to highlight the contribution of Nigerians living abroad to national development, particularly through investment, professional skills, technology, trade networks and international linkages.
Shettima stressed the importance of maintaining strong ties between Nigerians abroad and the country, while encouraging the diaspora community to continue contributing to the economic and social development of Nigeria.
The government continued to identify the Nigerian diaspora as an important source of investment and expertise, particularly in sectors requiring specialized knowledge and international partnerships.
ECOWAS, UN commitments
Shettima also held meetings with the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States Commission as part of his commitments 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 African continent at large.
Its engagements with regional and international institutions were part of Nigeria’s effort to strengthen multilateral partnerships and advance its interests within the international system.
Advancing Nigeria’s diplomatic priorities
During 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.
Prior to the general debate, Shettima joined other world leaders and heads of delegation at the UN Headquarters and attended a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
He also participated in numerous high-level meetings and bilateral engagements in the margins 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, Defense Minister Christopher Musa (retd.), Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and other senior officials.
The return follows the completion of UNGA commitments
Shettima’s return to Nigeria followed the conclusion of his scheduled engagements in New York.
His trip was undertaken in the context of President Tinubu’s absence from the General Assembly, with the President having deputed his deputy to represent him at the global meeting while Tinubu remained on an extended working holiday in Europe. The State House had earlier confirmed that Shettima would lead the Nigerian delegation and deliver the country’s national statement.
With the return of the Vice President to Nigeria, the Federal Government is expected to continue to follow up on diplomatic, economic and development issues raised at the General Assembly.
The government is also expected to maintain commitments to international partners on Nigeria’s priorities, particularly development financing, investment, education, climate support, technology, regional integration and the reform of global institutions.
Shettima’s participation in the 81st UN General Assembly thus provided Nigeria with a platform to articulate its positions on issues ranging from Security Council reform and African representation to mineral enrichment, education financing and regional cooperation.
The Vice President’s return marks the conclusion of Nigeria’s high-level participation in this year’s United Nations General Assembly, in which 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.
