Vice President Kashim Shettima has landed in New York for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which opens on Monday, the 22nd of September, and will run until the 28th of September, 2025.
Shettima, standing in for President Bola Tinubu, is billed to deliver Nigeria’s national address at the high-level debates. He will also unveil the country’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, take part in side meetings, bilateral sessions, and sit at several roundtables.
Tinubu was originally slated to address the gathering on day two of the debates at the UN headquarters. The revised list of speakers placed him as the 17th speaker for that session, with a slot around 8:30 p.m. local time in New York (2:30 p.m. in Nigeria).
When Shettima touched down at John F. Kennedy International Airport, he was welcomed by a team of senior government officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar; and Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires at the Permanent Mission to the UN, Amb. Samson Itegboje.
Also present were the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji; Defence Attaché in New York, Brig.-Gen. Edward Koleoso; and Defence Attaché in Washington, Group Capt. Sani Kalgo.
Speaking on Nigeria’s priorities for UNGA 80, Tuggar stressed the country’s continued push for a global tax convention and a permanent African seat on the UN Security Council.
“This is something that has put Nigeria in the position of leadership,” he said. “We also promote Nigeria’s push to become a permanent member of the Security Council, because Africa has a common position, the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, that calls for at least two permanent seats.”
Tuggar added that Nigeria would reaffirm its position on peacekeeping and speak on conflicts in Gaza, Eastern Congo, and Sudan.
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Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, also underscored the importance of Nigeria’s participation at the Assembly.
“We are looking at areas of strength such as solid minerals, agriculture, and skills-based education,” the governor said. “The Vice President’s presentation on Wednesday will further reposition Nigeria as Africa’s leading economy.”
On her part, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olajumoke Oduwole, said the forum would spotlight Nigeria’s investment drive under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“On Monday, we are hosting Nigeria Investment Day, highlighting solid minerals, telecommunications, and technology,” she said. “It is to show the reforms the Nigerian economy has undergone in the last two years and to engage our partners on where we are headed.”
Shettima’s itinerary will also see him at the African Union Peace and Security Council meeting, as well as a bilateral with Sudan’s Prime Minister, alongside other top-level engagements.