Vice President Kashim Shettima will today, Wednesday, deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today, Wednesday, representing President Bola Tinubu at this year’s gathering.
The address is scheduled between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. New York time (09:00–15:00 GMT).
Key issues expected on the agenda include multilateralism, UN reform, climate action, and international finance restructuring.
At the same forum last year, President Tinubu had called for Africa to be allocated permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council, a proposal now under consideration by the global body.
On Tuesday, Vice President Shettima joined other world leaders at the Assembly’s opening session, where U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a keynote address formally welcoming delegates.
Bilateral Meeting with Namibia
Later, the Vice President hosted Namibian President Nandi-Ndaitwah on the sidelines of UNGA. During their bilateral talks, the Namibian leader announced her planned official visit to Nigeria to meet with President Bola Tinubu.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, who assumed office on March 21, 2025, commended Nigerian diplomats for their support:
“All the Nigerian diplomats were basically Namibians, helping in so many ways,” she stated, acknowledging Nigeria’s leadership role among African member states.
She added that meeting Vice President Shettima at the UNGA was a timely step, noting: “I will still find time to come physically and introduce myself to the President.”
In response, Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to stronger ties with Namibia:
“We are all Africans, and the Nigeria–Namibia relations should be taken to the next level, beyond where it is now.”
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries, including Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; and Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.