Vice President Kashim Shettima has joined world leaders at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the opening of the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Shettima is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and leading Nigeria’s delegation to the week-long global gathering, which opened on Tuesday and will run until September 28.
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The Vice President earlier attended a welcome breakfast hosted by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for Heads of Delegation and their spouses.
He later arrived at the General Assembly Hall alongside the governors of Zamfara, Kwara and Rivers states—Dauda Lawal, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Siminalayi Fubara.
Other members of the Nigerian delegation include the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; and other senior government officials.
The General Debate is being held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” It opened with remarks by Guterres and addresses by world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and United States President Donald Trump.
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Shettima is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement before the General Assembly on Thursday, September 24.
According to the State House, his address will outline Nigeria’s position on major global issues, including reform of international institutions, sustainable development, peace and security, climate action and the pursuit of a more equitable global economic order.
Earlier in New York, the Vice President represented President Tinubu at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), where he called for stronger continental efforts to move Africa beyond the export of raw minerals.
He urged African countries to develop processing, manufacturing and value-addition industries around the continent’s critical mineral resources.
Shettima said Africa’s mineral wealth should translate into jobs, industrial growth and improved living standards, while urging countries to strengthen cooperation rather than compete through concessions that reduce the value derived from their resources.
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The Vice President is also expected to participate in other high-level and bilateral engagements during the UNGA week as Nigeria seeks to advance its national interests and strengthen cooperation with international partners.
