Vice-President Kashim Shettima will represent President Bola Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
Gatekeepers News reports that Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima’s media aide, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying Tinubu had mandated the vice-president to represent him at the annual gathering of world leaders.
The Nigerian delegation will include Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the general debate, outlining the country’s positions and priorities on issues relating to national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
He will also participate in high-level meetings on the Right to Development, climate action and other matters considered important to Nigeria and Africa.
According to Nkwocha, the engagements will provide Nigeria with an opportunity to advance Tinubu’s economic diplomacy, strengthen strategic partnerships and push for reforms to the global financial architecture.
“The Vice President will also participate in high-level meetings during the UNGA week, including engagements on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and the African continent,” the statement said.
The 81st UNGA general debate is scheduled to run from September 22 to 28 under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
This will be the third consecutive UNGA at which Shettima represents Nigeria on behalf of Tinubu. He delivered Nigeria’s national statement at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Tinubu last attended the UNGA in person in 2023, when he participated in the 78th session.
Earlier preparations had indicated that Tinubu would attend this year’s assembly in person. Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, said in July that the president had confirmed his attendance.
