Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, will lead the country’s delegation to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled to take place in New York from September 22 to 28, 2025. The announcement was made by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, following directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Shettima is poised to deliver Nigeria’s national statement on September 24, representing the President and the nation at this high-profile global event. His address will highlight Nigeria’s stance and priorities in areas including economic growth, regional security, human rights, humanitarian coordination, conflict resolution, and the fight against terrorism and illicit drug trafficking.
The UNGA 80 marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, a pivotal occasion themed “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights.” Alongside other world leaders, Shettima will participate in the general debates running throughout the assembly, from September 23 to 28.
A key highlight of his participation is attendance at a special UN-hosted Climate Ambition Summit for Heads of State and Government on September 24. Here, Nigeria is set to announce its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Climate Agreement, signaling its commitment to addressing climate change. This announcement underscores Nigeria’s engagement with global climate action efforts amid growing environmental concerns.
Beyond these engagements, Shettima is scheduled to join a high-level roundtable on Adequate and Affordable Housing, hosted by the President of Kenya. He will also conduct several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of UNGA, which are expected to enhance Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic links. Following his New York engagements, he will proceed to Frankfurt, Germany, for talks with Deutsche Bank officials before returning home.
Background and Real-Life Impact
Vice President Kashim Shettima, a seasoned politician and former governor of Borno State, represents a critical voice for Nigeria on the international stage. His leadership at UNGA comes amid Nigeria’s ongoing challenges with economic development, security issues, and climate vulnerability—topics that the international community closely watches. His role at this summit is set to reaffirm Nigeria’s active participation in multilateral diplomacy and global governance frameworks.
Experts in international relations note that Nigeria’s vocal presence at UNGA strengthens its influence in key international policy areas such as peacekeeping, climate change mitigation, and the African continent’s socio-economic development. By announcing enhanced climate commitments and engaging in wide-ranging talks, Nigeria signals its readiness to collaborate internationally for sustainable progress.
An eyewitness from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted, “Vice President Shettima’s engagements at UNGA will spotlight Nigeria’s commitment to peace, sustainable development, and international cooperation. Delivering the national statement is a moment of pride and responsibility to chart our path forward on the global stage”.
Next Steps for Nigeria
As Vice President Shettima leads Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA, the international community will watch closely how Nigeria articulates its priorities and fulfills its global commitments, particularly on climate change and security. The outcomes from his bilateral meetings and engagements in New York and Frankfurt are expected to bolster bilateral and multilateral partnerships critical for Nigeria’s development goals.
Following the week-long UNGA, Nigeria’s government will likely focus on implementing and communicating its renewed climate policies and strengthening international cooperation mechanisms involving peace and security, economic growth, and human rights.
In summary, Vice President Kashim Shettima’s leadership at the 80th UNGA underscores Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to engage proactively with global challenges and opportunities, steering the nation’s voice in diplomacy with renewed vigor and strategic intent.
