Vice President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria’s engagements at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will be guided by the country’s national interest.
Shettima spoke shortly after arriving in New York, United States, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the ongoing 81st Session of UNGA.
The vice president arrived with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State; Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; and other senior government officials.
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism as well as Tinubu’s consistent advocacy for reforms of global institutions to reflect contemporary economic and demographic realities.
“Our message in New York is clear; Nigeria believes in multilateralism, but the institutions that govern our world must become more representative, equitable, and responsive to the realities of today.
“We will engage our partners firmly from the standpoint of Nigeria’s national interest while advancing Tinubu’s call for a global system that gives developing countries a stronger voice and a fairer opportunity to prosper,” he said.
On arrival in New York, Shettima was received by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Others who received the vice president were the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dele Alake; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim, and other diplomatic officials.
Meanwhile, Shettima, for the third consecutive year, is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s position on major international issues and priorities during a debate.
An updated provisional speakers’ schedule places Nigeria fourth in the afternoon session of the General Debate on September 24.
Nigeria’s Thursday slot places its statement on the third day of the General Debate, traditionally one of the most closely watched events of UN high-level week.
The afternoon session begins at 3 pm New York time and runs until 9 pm, while Shettima is expected to speak between 4 pm and 4:30pm (9pm and 9:30pm Nigerian time).
The vice president is also expected to participate in high-level meetings as well as hold bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations, and development partners on the sidelines of the event.
Nigeria will use the engagements to reinforce its positions on reform of international financial architecture and sustainable development.
President Bola Tinubu was initially scheduled as the eighth speaker on Wednesday morning after he moved two spots from the previous 10th spot.
UN protocol allows presidents to speak at the high-level General Debate before vice-presidents, prime ministers and ministers.
Tinubu on Sunday directed Shettima to, again, lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Shettima joins 73 Heads of State, 45 Heads of Government, 49 ministers, 11 vice-presidents and one crown prince for the 81st General Assembly high-level week.
Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice-President, said Shettima would deliver Nigeria’s national statement and
outline the country’s positions on major international issues.
Thursday’s appearance will mark the third successive UN General Assembly at which Shettima will represent Tinubu in the General Debate.
Shettima represented the President at the 79th Session in 2024 and again delivered Nigeria’s statement at the 80th Session in 2025.
Tinubu personally addressed the 78th Session of the General Assembly in September 2023, months after assuming office as President.
With the latest announcement, Shettima has represented the President at the annual gathering of world leaders in 2024, 2025 and now 2026.
The Presidency said the Vice-President would lead a high-level delegation comprising Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior officials.
Besides the national statement, Shettima is expected to participate in high-level meetings on issues considered strategically important to Nigeria and Africa.
The Vice-President will hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the Assembly.
The 81st UN General Debate opens on Tuesday, Sept. 22 and continues through Saturday before concluding on Monday, September 28.
The UN’s annual debate provides Heads of State, Heads of Government and other senior representatives an opportunity to outline national priorities before the international community.
The theme of the 81st Session is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all.”
The session is being presided over by Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh, President of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly.
The General Assembly brings together all 193 UN Member States, each with equal representation in the organisation’s principal deliberative and policymaking body.
