Shettima to Address UNGA as Nigeria’s Fourth Speaker

Vice President Kashim Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Shettima is scheduled to speak as the fourth speaker in the afternoon session of the General Debate on Thursday, 24 September with his address expected between 4:00pm and 4:30pm New York time, corresponding to 9:00pm to 9:30pm Nigerian time.

The afternoon sitting is scheduled to begin at 3:00pm New York time and run until 9:00pm.

Shettima is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who directed him to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UN General Assembly. 

His appearance will mark the third consecutive year he has delivered Nigeria’s national statement at the General Debate on behalf of the President.

He represented Tinubu at the 79th General Assembly in 2024 and again delivered Nigeria’s statement at the 80th session in 2025. 

Tinubu personally addressed the 78th session in 2023.

According to the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Shettima’s address is expected to set out Nigeria’s position on major international issues, as well as the administration’s priorities on reform of international institutions, sustainable development, peace and security, climate action and the pursuit of a more equitable global economic order. 

The 81st General Debate is being held from September 22 to 28 under the theme, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.” 

The annual debate brings together representatives of the UN’s 193 member states to present their countries’ priorities and positions on issues of international concern.

Nigeria’s delegation includes senior government officials and state governors, among them Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. 

The delegation also includes Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Defence Minister Christopher Musa and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.