Vice President Kashim Shettima will on Wednesday deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
According to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), the address is scheduled between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. New York time, with multilateralism, UN reform, climate action, and international finance restructure among the key agenda items.
At last year’s UNGA, President Tinubu had urged for Africa to be allocated permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council, a demand which is now under consideration by the global body.
Earlier on Tuesday, Shettima joined world leaders for the Assembly’s opening session, where US President Donald Trump delivered a keynote address to formally welcome delegates.
On the sidelines, the Vice President held bilateral talks with Namibian President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who announced plans to visit Nigeria for an official meeting with President Tinubu. Praising Nigeria’s longstanding support, she said: “All the Nigerian diplomats were basically Namibians, helping in so many ways.”
Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to stronger ties with Namibia, saying: “We are all Africans, and the Nigeria–Namibia relationship should be taken to the next level, beyond where it is now.”
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Women Affairs Minister Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and Education Minister Tunji Alausa.
In another high-level session, Shettima met with a delegation from the Gates Foundation led by CEO Mark Suzman. He thanked the foundation for its role in healthcare, agriculture, and financial inclusion, and called for expanded investment in Nigeria.
“In the Gates Foundation, we have a partner that we trust and believe in. If all high-net-worth individuals made even half the investment Bill Gates has made, the world would be a better place,” Shettima said, while conveying President Tinubu’s regards.
Highlighting Nigeria’s ambitions, he added: “Our target over the next few years is to achieve annual growth rates of no less than seven per cent, anchored on macroeconomic stability, improved productivity, and strategic investment in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and education.”
Education Minister Alausa also appealed for greater support in technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to strengthen Nigeria’s educational foundation.
Responding, Suzman pledged enhanced investment in human capital development, education, and health. “Nigeria is really one of our strongest partnerships on the African continent, and I’m looking forward to hearing from you about where and how we might be more helpful while assuring you of our continued support,” he said.
He also revealed new grants recently signed with the Central Bank of Nigeria to drive digital identity and financial inclusion initiatives.
Other Gates Foundation officials present were Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth and Opportunity Division; Uche Amaonwu, Country Director, Nigeria Office; and Paulin Basinga, Director for Africa.
What you should know
Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria at the 80th UNGA, where he will deliver the country’s national statement on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
His meetings with Namibian President Nandi-Ndaitwah and Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman highlight Nigeria’s diplomatic push for stronger African representation, deeper bilateral relations, and greater global investment in education, healthcare, and economic growth.
