Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where Nigeria renewed calls for reforms in global governance and financial systems.
Shettima, who led Nigeria’s delegation to the annual gathering of world leaders, used the platform to present the country’s positions on issues including permanent African representation on the United Nations Security Council, development financing, climate support and economic opportunities for developing nations.
The Vice President departed Abuja on September 20 following a directive from President Tinubu to represent the country at the UN meeting. His return was announced on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.
During the General Debate, Shettima delivered Nigeria’s national statement, stressing the need for a more representative global governance structure that reflects current realities, including greater African participation in the UN Security Council.
Nigeria also called for reforms to international financial institutions, increased climate financing and stronger multilateral cooperation to address development and security challenges.
At the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, Shettima conveyed Nigeria’s position that African countries must move beyond exporting raw minerals and focus on local processing, refining and manufacturing.
The administration said greater value addition would help create jobs, strengthen industries and enable African economies to benefit more from their natural resources.
The Vice President also participated in a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy, where he highlighted education as a key investment in human capital development.
Nigeria supported the Global Partnership for Education’s $5 billion financing campaign aimed at increasing investment in education, particularly in developing countries.
During the visit, Shettima also met with Nigerians in the Diaspora, encouraging them to contribute through investments, expertise and global networks.
The Vice President further held diplomatic engagements with ECOWAS officials and United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on issues concerning regional cooperation, development and international partnerships.
According to the Presidency, Shettima’s UNGA engagements focused on advancing Nigeria’s positions on economic development, peace, security, technology and a more equitable international system.
His participation at the global meeting came while President Tinubu was away on a working vacation in Europe, with the Presidency maintaining that the President continued to oversee government affairs during the period.
