Return from 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, according to Blueprint Newspapers Limited.
Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 with a mandate from President Tinubu to represent Nigeria at the annual gathering of world leaders. His mission included presenting the country’s position on issues of national, regional, and global importance.
Security Council Reform and Multilateral Positions
The 81st UN General Assembly was held under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” During the assembly, Shettima delivered Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of President Tinubu.
Using the global platform, Shettima restated the country’s position on reforming international institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council. At the General Debate, he renewed Nigeria’s call for permanent African representation on the Security Council.
The Vice President also advocated for broader reforms aimed at making the body more representative of contemporary geopolitical realities.
According to Blueprint, the Nigerian delegation advanced positions on development financing, climate action, peace and security, technology access, and multilateral cooperation. Ahead of the assembly, the Federal Government stated that Nigeria’s participation would be guided by national interest, a commitment to multilateralism, and President Tinubu’s advocacy for reforms giving developing countries a stronger voice.
Mineral Strategy and Education Financing
Shettima participated in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group. During this session, he called for a shift away from exporting raw minerals toward processing, manufacturing, and value addition within African countries.
The Federal Ministry of Information reported that Shettima urged African countries to strengthen cooperation around critical mineral resources to translate wealth into jobs, industrial growth, and improved living standards.
At a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy, Shettima reaffirmed that education is a critical investment in human capital and productivity. He expressed Nigeria’s support for the Global Partnership for Education’s campaign to mobilize $5 billion to strengthen education systems in developing countries.