Shettima to Deliver Nigeria’s Statement at 80th UNGA, Engages in High-Level Meetings on Global Development, Partnerships
Vice President Kashim Shettima is set to deliver Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the ongoing 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The address is scheduled for Wednesday, between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. (New York time).
According to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), Shettima's address will focus on key global issues such as multilateralism, UN reform, climate action, and restructuring of the international financial system.
Last year, President Tinubu used the same platform to advocate for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council, a proposal that has since gained traction at the international level.
Shettima Attends UNGA Opening, Holds Bilateral Talks with Namibian President
Earlier on Tuesday, Vice President Shettima joined world leaders at the official opening of the UNGA, which featured a keynote address by U.S. President Donald Trump.
On the sidelines of the event, Shettima held bilateral talks with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who expressed her appreciation for Nigeria’s diplomatic support and announced her intention to pay an official visit to Nigeria soon.
“All the Nigerian diplomats were basically Namibians, helping in so many ways,” she said, acknowledging Nigeria's long-standing support for Namibia and other African nations.
Vice President Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with Namibia, stating:
“We are all Africans, and the Nigeria–Namibia relationship should be taken to the next level, beyond where it is now.”
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa.
Strategic Partnership with Gates Foundation
In another high-level engagement, Vice President Shettima met with a delegation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, led by CEO Mark Suzman. The Vice President expressed gratitude for the foundation’s longstanding support in healthcare, agriculture, and financial inclusion, while calling for increased investments in Nigeria.
“In the Gates Foundation, we have a partner that we trust and believe in. If all high-net-worth individuals made even half the investment Bill Gates has made, the world would be a better place,” Shettima said, conveying President Tinubu’s warm regards to Gates.
Highlighting Nigeria’s development goals, Shettima noted:
“Our target over the next few years is to achieve at least 7% annual growth, anchored on macroeconomic stability, improved productivity, and strategic investment in infrastructure, health, agriculture, and education.”
Education Minister Seeks More Support
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, appealed for expanded support in the education sector, especially in areas like technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
“While past Gates Foundation efforts focused on child nutrition, we now seek greater investment in foundational education to strengthen Nigeria’s long-term capacity,” he stated.
Foundation Commits to Expanding Support
In response, Suzman reaffirmed the Gates Foundation’s commitment to human capital development, citing progress in digital identity and financial inclusion initiatives in Nigeria. He confirmed recent grant agreements with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and pledged continued collaboration.
“Nigeria remains one of our strongest partnerships on the African continent,” Suzman said, adding that the foundation is eager to support the Tinubu administration's broader development agenda.
Other Gates Foundation executives at the meeting included Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth and Opportunity Division; Uche Amaonwu, Nigeria Country Director; and Paulin Basinga, Director for Africa.
