Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria will be guided by its national interest and commitment to multilateralism as the country engages world leaders at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Shettima arrived in New York on Monday to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the high-level gathering.
Speaking ahead of the General Debate, the Vice President said Nigeria would also push for reforms to global institutions to make them more representative and responsive to current economic and demographic realities.
“Our message in New York is clear. Nigeria believes in multilateralism, but the institutions that govern our world must become more representative, equitable, and responsive to the realities of today,” Shettima said.
He added that Nigeria would engage its international partners from the standpoint of the country’s national interest while advocating greater representation and opportunities for developing nations.
“We will engage our partners firmly from the standpoint of Nigeria’s national interest while advancing President Tinubu’s call for a global system that gives developing countries a stronger voice and a fairer opportunity to prosper,” he said.
The 81st UN General Assembly’s General Debate will take place from September 22 to 26 and on September 28 at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The session is being held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
During the General Debate, Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s positions on international issues relating to peace and security, economic development, global cooperation and other matters of national interest.
The Vice President is also scheduled to participate in high-level meetings and hold bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
According to the State House, Nigeria intends to use the engagements to advance its positions on reform of the international financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance, technology access and stronger African representation in global decision-making.
Shettima arrived in New York alongside Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning Doris Uzoka-Anite and other senior government officials.
Among those who received him in New York were Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President in the Office of the Vice President Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim.
The United Nations says the General Debate gives heads of state, government and other high-level representatives an opportunity to present their positions and priorities on major global challenges.
The 81st session of the General Assembly opened on September 8, 2026, and will run until September 7, 2027, with the high-level week taking place in New York during September.
