Shettima arrives New York for 81st UN General Assembly

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in New York to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Shettima said Nigeria’s engagements at the global gathering will be guided by the country’s national interest and commitment to multilateralism, alongside Tinubu’s advocacy for reforms of global institutions to reflect contemporary economic and demographics 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”, Senator Shettima said.

“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”

A statement made available to State House correspondents signed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice-President), disclosed that VP Shettima arrived in the company of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, and other senior government officials.

On arrival in New York, VP Shettima was received by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Chief Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, and other senior government and diplomatic officials.

The theme of the 81st session of UNGA is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all”. The 81st UNGA General Debate runs from September 22 to 28, with Shettima expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level and bilateral meetings.

This will be the third time Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA. The Vice President had delivered the country’s national statement at UNGA in 2024 and 2025. The last time President Tinubu attended the UNGA was 2023.

-9News Nigeria.