Vice President Kashim Shettima will today, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, present Nigeria’s national statement at the ongoing 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
According to Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Shettima is scheduled to speak between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. New York time.
His address is expected to highlight key issues such as multilateralism, UN reform, climate action, and international financial restructuring.
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At last year’s session, Tinubu used the same platform to demand permanent African seats on the United Nations Security Council — a proposal now under consideration by the global body.
On Tuesday, Shettima attended the Assembly’s opening session, where U.S. President Donald Trump delivered the keynote address welcoming delegates.
Later that day, he hosted Namibia’s President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on the sidelines of the Assembly.
Both leaders held bilateral talks during which the Namibian leader confirmed her planned official visit to Nigeria.
She also commended Nigerian diplomats for their significant contributions to her government and country.
“All the Nigerian diplomats were basically Namibians, helping in so many ways,” she stated, acknowledging Nigeria’s leadership role among African member states.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said she considered it fitting to use the UNGA platform to meet with Shettima.
She promised to visit Nigeria in person to formally introduce herself to Tinubu.
Bilateral relations
In his response, Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Namibia, declaring: “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 from both countries, including Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Sulaiman-Ibrahim; and Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.
Separately, Shettima also held a high-level meeting with a delegation from the Gates Foundation led by its CEO, Mark Suzman.
He expressed Nigeria’s gratitude for the Foundation’s support in healthcare, agriculture, and financial inclusion, while urging for greater investment in the country.
“In the Gates Foundation, we have a partner 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. Kindly convey the highest regards of my boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Mr Gates,”
Shettima said.
He underscored Nigeria’s growth ambitions, noting: “Our target over the next few years is to achieve annual growth rates of no less than seven per cent, anchored on macroeconomic stability, improved productivity, and strategic investment in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and education.”
Meanwhile, Alausa further appealed for stronger Gates Foundation support in the education sector, particularly in technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
“What I want to put on the table is increased investment in education. I have met with your representatives in Africa, and they explained that the Foundation’s initial focus had been on child nutrition rather than education. Now that there is more focus on education, I am seeking enhanced support to strengthen our foundational learning. We do not have adequate support at all,” he said.
In his response, Suzman pledged greater investment in human capital development, education, and healthcare, while highlighting the Foundation’s achievements in digital identity and digital financial inclusion in Nigeria.
He praised Tinubu and Shettima for their leadership, stating: “Nigeria is really one of our strongest partnerships on the African continent, and I look forward to hearing where and how we might be more helpful, while assuring you of our continued support.”
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Suzman added: “We have just signed new grants with the Central Bank of Nigeria to support related initiatives, and we are very encouraged by your broader efforts.”
Also present from the Gates Foundation were Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth and Opportunity Division; Uche Amaonwu, Country Director of the Nigeria Office; and Paulin Basinga, Director for Africa.
