UNGA 80: Shettima to Represent Nigeria as Tinubu Delegates Again

UNGA80: Shettima to Represent Nigeria as Tinubu Delegates Again

 

 

President Bola Tinubu has once again delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.

 

Shettima is expected to join world leaders at the forum on Monday, marking the 80th anniversary of the UNGA. He will also participate in the high-level general debate, scheduled from Tuesday, September 23, to Sunday, September 28.

 

Nigeria’s national statement will be delivered by Shettima on September 24, between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., according to Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President).

 

The Vice President will attend the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit for Heads of State and Government, where Nigeria is set to announce its new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. He will also participate in a high-level roundtable on Adequate and Affordable Housing, convened by the President of Kenya, and hold bilateral meetings with global partners.

 

At last year’s UNGA, Tinubu, represented by Shettima, called for debt forgiveness for Nigeria and other developing nations, stressing that unsustainable debt burdens hinder governments from meeting citizens’ needs. He urged reforms in the international financial system, including fair trade practices, transparent multilateralism, and comprehensive debt relief measures.

 

Tinubu also warned that climate change was exacerbating insecurity, citing the devastating floods that submerged large parts of Nigeria, including Maiduguri. He urged world leaders to honour commitments under global climate accords, stressing that delaying climate action was no longer an option.

 

In 2024, Nigeria also called for reforms in the UN Security Council to secure permanent African seats and reaffirmed its commitment to democracy, peace, and the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

 

Nkwocha noted that after his UNGA engagements in New York, Shettima will travel to Frankfurt, Germany, for meetings with Deutsche Bank officials before returning to Nigeria.