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Vice President Kashim Shettima is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Shettima is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and leading Nigeria’s delegation to the annual gathering of world leaders, which opened on Tuesday.
The Vice President joined other world leaders at the opening of the General Debate after attending a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for Heads of Delegation and their spouses.
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Shettima arrived at the General Assembly Hall alongside Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Other members of the Nigerian delegation include the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, alongside other senior government officials.
The General Debate, scheduled for September 22 to 28, is being held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
The opening session featured remarks by Guterres and addresses by world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and United States President Donald Trump.
During his address on Thursday, Shettima is expected to present Nigeria’s position on major global issues and present President Tinubu’s priorities on reforming international institutions, sustainable development, peace and security, climate action and creating a more equitable global economic order.
The Vice President is also expected to participate in several high-level and bilateral engagements during the UNGA week as Nigeria seeks to advance its national interests and strengthen cooperation with international partners.
Earlier in New York, Shettima represented President Tinubu at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, where he called for greater continental cooperation to reduce Africa’s dependence on raw mineral exports, on Wednesday.
He urged African countries to develop processing, manufacturing and value-addition industries around the continent’s mineral resources, saying the sector should contribute to job creation, industrial growth and improved living standards.
Shettima also called on African countries to strengthen cooperation rather than compete through concessions that diminish the value of their natural resources.
After Tuesday’s UNGA engagements, the Vice President, accompanied by governors, ministers, presidential aides and other members of the Nigerian delegation, made a brief stop at Nigeria House in New York.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
VP Shettima Joins World Leaders At UNGA 81 Opening, Delivers Nigeria’s Statement Thursday
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Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday joined world leaders at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the opening of the General Debate of the 81st… pic.twitter.com/JBhC7UI4iD
— Stanley Nkwocha (@stanleynkwocha_) September 23, 2026
