Nigeria has arrived at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York with a clear diplomatic message: the country will engage the international community firmly on the basis of its national interest while pushing for reforms to make global institutions more representative and responsive.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is representing President Bola Tinubu at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), stated this shortly after arriving in New York.
Shettima arrived alongside Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, and other senior government officials.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism, while highlighting President Tinubu’s continued advocacy for reforms of global institutions to reflect current economic and demographic realities.
“Our message in New York is clear; Nigeria believes in multilateralism, but the institutions that govern our world must become more representative, equitable, and responsive to the realities of today,” Shettima said.
He added that Nigeria would engage its international partners from the standpoint of its national interest while supporting efforts to give developing countries a stronger voice in global affairs.
“We will engage our partners firmly from the standpoint of Nigeria’s national interest while advancing Tinubu’s call for a global system that gives developing countries a stronger voice and a fairer opportunity to prosper,” he said.
High-Level Diplomacy on the Agenda
The Vice President’s arrival was met by senior government officials and members of Nigeria’s diplomatic team, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia; and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Also present were Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, and other diplomatic officials.
During the General Assembly, Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, setting out the country’s position on major international issues and its priorities in the global arena.
His schedule is also expected to include high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the gathering.
Nigeria’s Global Priorities
Beyond the formal sessions of the General Assembly, Nigeria is expected to use the diplomatic engagements to reinforce its position on reforms to the international financial architecture and the need to accelerate sustainable development.
For the Tinubu administration, the UNGA provides a platform to articulate Nigeria’s interests while strengthening partnerships on issues affecting developing countries.
Shettima’s message therefore places Nigeria’s participation at the global gathering at the intersection of two priorities: defending the country’s national interests and advocating a more inclusive international system in which developing nations have a greater voice in decisions shaping the global economy and political order.
