Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected on Thursday to present Nigeria’s views on the reform of global institutions and other pressing international matters to world leaders at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
Shettima, who is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and heading Nigeria’s delegation to the high-level meeting, is expected to use his national address to outline the administration’s priorities on sustainable development, peace and security, climate action and the call for a fairer global economic system.
The Vice President joined other world leaders at the United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday for the commencement of the General Debate of the 81st UNGA.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, it was disclosed that Shettima had earlier participated in a welcome breakfast organised by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for heads of delegation and their spouses.
Shettima arrived at the General Assembly Hall alongside the Governors of Zamfara, Dauda Lawal; Kwara, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; and Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara.
Other members of the Nigerian delegation included the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; and other senior government officials.
The General Debate, scheduled for September 22 to 28, is being held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
The session commenced with remarks from Guterres, followed by speeches from world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and United States President Donald Trump.
According to the statement, Shettima’s address on Thursday will communicate Nigeria’s position on key global concerns and highlight President Tinubu’s priorities regarding reforms to international institutions.
The administration has repeatedly called for reforms to the global governance system, arguing that international institutions should better reflect present-day economic and demographic realities, particularly the concerns of developing nations.
After leaving the UN Headquarters, Shettima, accompanied by governors, ministers, presidential aides and other members of the Nigerian delegation, briefly visited Nigeria House in New York.
Earlier during his engagements in the city, the Vice President represented President Tinubu at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG).
At the meeting, he called for renewed efforts across the continent to reduce Africa’s reliance on exporting raw minerals and promote greater value addition within African economies.
