Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived back in Nigeria after a week of diplomatic and economic engagements at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Shettima had left Abuja on September 20 as the leader of Nigeria’s delegation to the annual UN gathering, representing President Bola Tinubu at the international event.
According to a statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President delivered Nigeria’s national statement at the General Debate on behalf of Tinubu.
The statement said Nigeria used the platform to push for changes to the UN Security Council, particularly permanent African representation, improved access to international financing and stronger global support for climate action.
Shettima also participated in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, where Nigeria backed efforts to increase the processing and manufacturing of minerals within Africa rather than exporting them mainly as raw materials.
At a high-level education financing meeting jointly convened by Nigeria and Italy, Shettima reiterated the Federal Government’s position that education remained central to human capital development, productivity and economic progress.
The Vice President also held discussions with Nigerians in the diaspora, stressing the importance of their investments, knowledge and professional networks to Nigeria’s development.
His engagements further took him to meetings with the leadership of the ECOWAS Commission and UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, with discussions covering regional integration, development funding, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security.