Shettima returns to Nigeria after UNGA81 in New York

Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, made this known via a statement issued on Monday, September 28, 2026.

Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 following Tinubu’s directive to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual global event.

During the visit, Shettima delivered Tinubu’s National Statement at the General Debate, where Nigeria renewed its call for reform of the UN Security Council, demanding permanent African representation, fairer global financing, stronger climate support, and deeper multilateral cooperation.

He also participated in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, where Tinubu urged African countries to move beyond raw mineral exports towards processing, manufacturing and value addition.

At the high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy, Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to education as a critical investment in productivity, human capital and national prosperity, while supporting the Global Partnership for Education’s $5 billion financing campaign.

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The vice president also met with Nigerians in the Diaspora, stressing the importance of their investment, expertise and networks to national development.

Other major engagements included meetings with the new leadership of the ECOWAS Commission, as well as UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed.

Across the meetings, Shettima advanced Nigeria’s positions on development financing, regional integration, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security, while reaffirming Tinubu’s call for a more representative and equitable global order.