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, where Nigeria renewed its call for reforms of the global governance and financial systems.
Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the General Assembly and used his engagements to advance Nigeria’s demand for permanent African representation on the United Nations Security Council, alongside calls for improved development financing, climate support and greater economic opportunities for developing countries.
His return to Nigeria was announced on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.
At the General Debate, Shettima delivered Tinubu’s national statement, in which Nigeria demanded at least two permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council, with veto powers for as long as the privilege exists, as well as five non-permanent seats for the continent.
Nigeria argued that the current structure of the Security Council does not adequately reflect contemporary geopolitical realities and called for broader reforms of international institutions.
Beyond the Security Council issue, Shettima called for reforms to the international financial architecture, wider access to concessional financing and stronger climate financing mechanisms for developing countries.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s position on technology and development, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and technology transfer.
At a high-level meeting of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, the Vice President reiterated Nigeria’s support for greater value addition to Africa’s mineral resources, stressing the need for local processing, refining and manufacturing rather than continued dependence on the export of raw materials.
Shettima also participated in a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy, where Nigeria supported the Global Partnership for Education’s $5bn financing campaign and called for increased investment in education in developing countries.
During the visit, he also engaged Nigerians in the Diaspora, urging them to contribute their investments, expertise and international networks to national development.
The Vice President held further diplomatic engagements, including a meeting with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, where he reiterated Nigeria’s support for reforms aimed at making international institutions more representative and responsive.
Shettima had departed Abuja on September 20 after Tinubu mandated him to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA. The Presidency had earlier confirmed that the Vice President would represent the President at the global gathering.
The 81st UNGA provided Nigeria with an opportunity to restate its positions on global governance, development financing, climate action, regional security, technology and Africa’s representation in international decision-making.