Shettima, while in the US, restated Nigeria’s commitment to education as an important investment in productivity, human capital, and national development.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, has returned to Abuja, the nation’s capital, after standing in for his principal, President Bola Tinubu, at the recently held 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
His arrival was confirmed on Monday, 28 September 2026, by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.
Shettima left Abuja for New York on 20 September to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual international gathering.
While announcing his arrival back in the country, Nkwocha noted that the Vice-President delivered President Tinubu’s national statement during the General Debate.
“During the visit, VP Shettima delivered President Tinubu’s National Statement at the General Debate, where Nigeria renewed its call for reform of the UN Security Council, demanding permanent African representation, fairer global financing, stronger climate support, and deeper multilateral cooperation,” the statement said.
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He proceeded to say Shettima also attended the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, where he called on African countries to move beyond exporting raw minerals and focus more on processing, manufacturing, and adding value on behalf of President Tinubu.
At an education financing event jointly hosted by Nigeria and Italy, the former Borno State governor restated Nigeria’s commitment to education as an important investment in productivity, human capital, and national development.
“At the high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy, Senator Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to education as a critical investment in productivity, human capital, and national prosperity, while supporting the Global Partnership for Education’s $5bn financing campaign.”
The Vice-President also met with Nigerians living abroad, highlighting the role of their investments, expertise, and networks in supporting Nigeria’s development.
His other engagements included meetings with the new leadership of the ECOWAS Commission and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed.
The statement said Shettima used the meetings to promote Nigeria’s positions on development financing, regional integration, economic cooperation, technology, peace, and security, while restating President Tinubu’s call for a more representative and equitable global order.
