Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after leading the country’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
Shettima represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the annual gathering of world leaders, where he advanced Nigeria’s call for reforms to the global governance and financial systems.
At the General Debate, Shettima delivered Tinubu’s National Statement, reiterating Nigeria’s demand for permanent African representation on the United Nations Security Council.
He also called for reforms to the international financial system, increased climate financing and stronger multilateral cooperation to address development and security challenges facing developing countries.
Beyond the General Debate, the Vice President participated in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, where he conveyed Tinubu’s call for African countries to move beyond exporting raw minerals and focus on local processing, refining and manufacturing.
The administration said greater value addition would help create jobs, strengthen domestic industries and ensure African countries retain more of the economic benefits from their mineral resources.
Shettima also represented Nigeria at a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy. He reaffirmed the government’s position that education is a strategic investment in human capital development and long-term economic growth.
Nigeria also backed the Global Partnership for Education’s $5 billion financing campaign, calling for increased international investment in education, particularly in developing countries facing funding gaps.
During his visit, the Vice President met Nigerians in the Diaspora and encouraged them to contribute to the country’s development through investment, professional expertise and international networks.
According to the Presidency, Shettima also held discussions with the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States Commission and met United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed as part of Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements.
The Vice President departed Abuja on September 20 following Tinubu’s delegation for the UN General Assembly.
His return was announced on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.
Shettima’s participation at the UNGA took place while Tinubu was on a working vacation in Europe.