By Seun Ibiyemi
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, United States.
Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 with a mandate from President Tinubu to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual global gathering of world leaders.
During the visit, the Vice-President delivered Nigeria’s National Statement at the General Debate on behalf of the President, using the platform to restate Nigeria’s demand for reforms to the global multilateral system.
At the General Debate, Shettima reiterated Nigeria’s call for a more representative United Nations Security Council, including permanent African representation.
He also advanced Nigeria’s positions on fairer global financing, stronger climate support for developing countries and deeper multilateral cooperation.
The call reflects Nigeria’s longstanding position that Africa remains underrepresented in the institutions responsible for major global security and economic decisions.
The Vice-President also participated in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, where President Tinubu’s position was presented on the need for African countries to move beyond exporting raw minerals.
The Nigerian delegation advocated greater processing, manufacturing and value addition within Africa’s mineral-producing economies.
The position is aimed at increasing the economic benefits derived from Africa’s natural resources and strengthening the continent’s participation in global value chains.
At a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy, Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to education as an investment in human capital, productivity and national development.
He also expressed support for the Global Partnership for Education’s $5bn financing campaign, aimed at mobilising resources for education systems in developing countries.
Shettima also held engagements with Nigerians living abroad, highlighting the importance of their investments, expertise, professional networks and contributions to national development.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the Vice-President to discuss ways Nigerians in the Diaspora could contribute to the country’s economic and social development.
Other high-level engagements during the Vice-President’s visit included meetings with the new leadership of the ECOWAS Commission and the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed.
Discussions across the engagements covered regional integration, development financing, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security.
The Vice-President’s engagements also reinforced the Tinubu administration’s position on the need for a more representative and equitable global order.
With Shettima now back in Nigeria, attention shifts to the implementation and follow-up of the diplomatic engagements and commitments advanced by the Nigerian delegation during the UNGA.
