VP Shettima Says Nigeria’s National Interest Comes First At UNGA81

• Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Nigeria’s national interest will guide the country’s engagements at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), stressing that the government will engage international partners firmly on issues affecting the country.

• Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism but called for reforms of global institutions, saying developing countries, including Nigeria and other African nations, deserve a stronger voice and a fairer opportunity in global decision-making.

• The Vice President, who arrived in New York to represent President Bola Tinubu, is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners.

• Nigeria is expected to use the UNGA engagements to advance its positions on reform of the international financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance, technology access and stronger African representation in global decision-making.

September 21, () – Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria’s engagements at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly will be driven by the country’s national interest, as the Federal Government seeks a stronger voice for Nigeria and developing countries in global affairs.

Shettima stated this shortly after arriving in New York, United States, on Monday to represent President Bola Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the high-level UNGA81 meetings.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President said Nigeria remained committed to multilateralism but would pursue its interests while advocating reforms that would make global institutions more representative and responsive to present-day 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 President Tinubu’s call for a global system that gives developing countries a stronger voice and a fairer opportunity to prosper,” Shettima said.

Shettima Leads High-Level Delegation

The Vice President arrived in New York alongside Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Doris Uzoka-Anite; and other senior government officials.

He was received on arrival by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President, Ibrahim Hadejia; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim; and other senior government and diplomatic officials.

The Presidency had earlier said President Tinubu mandated Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA, with the delegation expected to include governors, ministers and other senior government officials.

The Vice President is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate, outlining the country’s position on major international issues with implications for peace and security, economic development, growth and international cooperation.

He will also participate in a series of high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners.

Nigeria’s Global Priorities

The Federal Government is expected to use the diplomatic engagements to advance Nigeria’s positions on reform of the international financial architecture and sustainable development, while also pushing issues including climate finance, technology access and stronger African representation in global decision-making.

The focus aligns with Tinubu’s broader call for reforms of global institutions to reflect contemporary economic and demographic realities.

For Nigeria, the UNGA provides an opportunity to engage directly with governments, multilateral institutions and development partners on issues considered critical to the country’s economic transformation, investment drive, development financing and international partnerships.

Shettima’s emphasis on national interest places Nigeria’s priorities at the centre of the government’s diplomatic engagements, while his call for a more representative global system extends Nigeria’s position to the wider question of developing countries’ participation in international decision-making.

The 81st UNGA marks the third consecutive year that Shettima is representing President Tinubu at the annual gathering of world leaders. He delivered Nigeria’s national statement at the 79th UNGA in 2024 and again represented the President at the 80th session in 2025. Tinubu last personally addressed the General Assembly in 2023.

Nigeria is scheduled to deliver its national statement during the afternoon session on Thursday, September 24, with Shettima expected to speak during the country’s allotted slot.