Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday joined world leaders at the opening of the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA-81st) annual General Debate, where he is representing President Bola Tinubu and leading Nigeria’s delegation.
Shettima is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement on Thursday, outlining the government’s positions on international institutional reform, sustainable development, peace and security, climate action and a more equitable global economic order.
The General Debate, which runs from September 22 to September 28, is being held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the session, followed by addresses from leaders including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and US President Donald Trump.
Before the opening session, Vice President Shettima attended a breakfast for heads of delegation and their spouses hosted by Guterres.
He arrived at the General Assembly Hall with Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Kwara State Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Other members of the Nigerian delegation included Defence Minister Christopher Musa, Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s permanent representative to the UN Jimoh Ibrahim, and senior government officials.
Vice President Shettima and members of the delegation later made a brief stop at Nigeria House in New York.
Earlier, the Vice President represented President Tinubu at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, where he urged African governments to reduce reliance on exporting unprocessed minerals and instead develop domestic processing, manufacturing and other value-added industries.
Africa’s mineral resources should generate jobs, industrial expansion and higher living standards across the continent, Shettima said.
He called on African countries to cooperate more closely rather than compete through concessions that erode the value of their natural resources.
The Vice President is expected to hold additional high-level and bilateral meetings during the UN General Assembly week as Nigeria seeks to advance its diplomatic and economic priorities.
