Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived back in Nigeria after a series of diplomatic and economic engagements at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Vice President travelled to the United States on September 20 after President Bola Tinubu assigned him to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual UN gathering.
A statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, said Shettima represented the President throughout the high-level meetings.
One of his major assignments was the delivery of Tinubu’s National Statement during the General Debate.
Nigeria used the occasion to reiterate its position that Africa should have permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council.
The country also called for reforms to the global financial system, increased climate support for developing nations and stronger multilateral cooperation.
Focus on Africa’s mineral resources
Shettima participated in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, where the issue of mineral development and value addition featured prominently.
President Tinubu urged African countries to reduce their dependence on exporting unprocessed minerals and instead invest in processing and manufacturing.
The approach, according to the Nigerian position presented at the meeting, would enable African economies to retain more value from their mineral resources.
Education and global partnerships
At another high-level event focused on education financing, Nigeria and Italy jointly hosted discussions on investment in education.
Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to education as a means of strengthening human capital and improving productivity.
He also backed the Global Partnership for Education’s campaign to mobilise $5 billion in financing.
The Vice President’s programme further included an interaction with Nigerians living in the United States.
During the engagement, he highlighted the role of diaspora Nigerians in supporting national development through investment, knowledge and professional networks.
Shettima also held meetings with the new leadership of the ECOWAS Commission and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed.
The Federal Government said the engagements provided an opportunity to advance Nigeria’s interests in areas including regional integration, development financing, technology, economic cooperation, peace and security.
Shettima’s return marks the conclusion of his official assignment at the 81st UN General Assembly.
