Vice President Kashim Shettima has joined other world leaders at the United Nations headquarters in New York as the General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly opened, with Nigeria set to present its national position on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Shettima is representing President Bola Tinubu at the global meeting and is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the UN General Assembly. He is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement before the assembly on Thursday.
The development was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
Before the opening session, Shettima attended a welcome breakfast organised by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for heads of delegations and their spouses.
The Vice President later arrived at the General Assembly Hall with Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Other members of the Nigerian delegation include Minister of Defence Christopher Musa, retired; Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; as well as other senior government officials.
The General Debate is taking place from September 22 to 28 under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” The session began with remarks from Guterres and addresses by several world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and United States President Donald Trump.
During his address on Thursday, Shettima is expected to present Nigeria’s position on key international issues and outline President Tinubu’s priorities on reforming international institutions, sustainable development, peace and security, climate action and efforts toward a fairer global economic system.
After leaving the UN headquarters, Shettima and members of the Nigerian delegation made a brief visit to Nigeria House in New York.
The Vice President had earlier represented President Tinubu at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group as part of his engagements in New York.
At the meeting, Shettima called for stronger efforts across Africa to reduce dependence on the export of raw minerals and develop industries that can process and add value to the continent’s natural resources.
He said Africa’s mineral resources should contribute more directly to employment, industrial development and better living conditions for its people. He also urged African countries to work together rather than compete in ways that could reduce the value they gain from their mineral resources.
Shettima is expected to take part in other high-level meetings and bilateral discussions during the UN General Assembly week as Nigeria seeks to strengthen relations with other countries and advance its national interests.