By Ismaeel Aleem
Vice President Kashim Shettima departed Abuja on Sunday, 21 September 2025, to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
The week-long summit, running from 22 to 28 September, marks the UN’s 80th anniversary and will feature high-level debates on global challenges, including peace, security, and climate change.
Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will deliver Nigeria’s national statement on Wednesday, 24 September, between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. New York time.
His address is expected to highlight Nigeria’s contributions to global peace, regional security, and efforts to combat climate change.
A key highlight of his itinerary is the announcement of Nigeria’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement during a special climate summit hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the same day.
According to Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the vice president resident on Media and Communications, Shettima will engage in several high-level side events, including the International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, a roundtable on energy and security in the Gulf of Guinea, and the Forward Africa Leaders Symposium, focusing on digital transformation and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The vice president will also hold bilateral meetings and, post-UNGA, travel to Frankfurt, Germany, for discussions with Deutsche Bank officials.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Shettima will be joined by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and other senior officials.
Nigeria’s participation underscores its commitment to multilateralism and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on economic growth, human rights, and counter-terrorism.
The UNGA’s theme, “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights,” reflects the global call for unity.
