SHETTIMA SET TO DELIVER NIGERIA’S STATEMENT AT 81ST UNGA

Vice President Kashim Shettima has joined world leaders at the United Nations Headquarters in New York ahead of his scheduled presentation of Nigeria’s national statement at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Shettima is representing President Bola Tinubu and leading Nigeria’s delegation to the annual global gathering, which is holding from September 22 to 28 under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

Shettima attended a welcome breakfast hosted by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for heads of delegation and their spouses before joining other world leaders at the General Assembly Hall. He arrived alongside Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State. Other members of Nigeria’s delegation include Defence Minister Christopher Musa, Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, and other senior government officials.

During his address on Thursday, Shettima is expected to outline Nigeria’s position on major international issues and priorities of the Federal Government. The areas expected to feature include reform of international institutions, sustainable development, peace and security, climate action and the push for a more equitable global economic order. The Nigerian delegation is also expected to use the week-long gathering to strengthen the country’s engagement with international partners and advance issues considered important to national and continental development.

Earlier in New York, Shettima represented President Tinubu at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, where he called for greater cooperation among African countries in developing the continent’s mineral resources. He urged governments to move beyond exporting raw minerals by developing processing, manufacturing and value-addition industries that can create jobs, promote industrial growth and improve living standards. He also argued that African countries should cooperate rather than compete through arrangements that reduce the value derived from their natural resources.

Beyond the General Assembly debate, Shettima is scheduled to participate in other high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners. Nigeria is expected to use the engagements to advance discussions on global financial architecture, climate finance, technology access, sustainable development and stronger African representation in international decision-making. Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after completing his engagements in New York.