President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
The high-level delegation will include Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
The 81st UNGA General Debate is scheduled to take place from September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
At the General Debate, Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s position and priorities on major global issues affecting national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
The Vice President is also expected to participate in several high-level meetings during the UNGA week, including discussions on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues considered strategically important to Nigeria and Africa.
Shettima will join other world leaders at the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and hold bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, the engagements will provide Nigeria with an opportunity to advance the administration’s economic diplomacy and deepen strategic partnerships.
The delegation is also expected to push Nigeria’s interests on reforms to the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.
The statement added that Shettima would return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his engagements in New York.
