By George Omagbemi
Vice President Kashim Shettima is back in Nigeria after a high-level diplomatic tour of the United Nations, where he represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and led Nigeria’s delegation at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.
Shettima returned on Monday, September 28, 2026, after a week of meetings and engagements focused on Nigeria’s economic, diplomatic and development interests.
At the General Debate, he delivered Nigeria’s national statement and renewed the country’s call for reform of the UN Security Council, including permanent representation for Africa. Nigeria also advocated fairer global financing, stronger climate support and deeper multilateral cooperation.
The Vice President also participated in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, where Nigeria pushed for greater mineral processing, manufacturing and value addition rather than continued dependence on raw mineral exports.
At a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy, Shettima reaffirmed the government’s commitment to education and backed the Global Partnership for Education’s $5 billion financing campaign.
He also met with Nigerians in the diaspora, the new leadership of the ECOWAS Commission and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed.
According to his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the engagements covered development financing, regional integration, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security.
Shettima’s return marks the end of Nigeria’s high-level participation in UNGA 81.
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