Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in New York to lead Nigeria’s delegation at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with a clear message: Nigeria is demanding a greater voice in global affairs.
Central to this push are two key objectives: securing a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and championing a new United Nations Global Convention on Taxation.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Vice President will spend the week engaging in high-level debates, bilateral meetings, and side events. His presence underscores Nigeria’s intent to be a leading force in shaping international policy, particularly on issues critical to Africa and the developing world.
Upon his arrival, Vice President Shettima was received by a high-powered delegation including the Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar. The team immediately briefed the Vice President, outlining a unified national strategy for the week’s negotiations.
Foreign Affairs Minister Tuggar was unequivocal about Nigeria’s ambitions. “Nigeria is championing the United Nations Global Convention on Taxation, which is very central to the ongoing push to reform the global financial architecture,” he stated. He explained that this leadership role positions Nigeria at the forefront of efforts to ensure a fairer international tax system, which would help developing nations retain more resources for their own growth.
Alongside tax reform, Minister Tuggar reaffirmed the nation’s long-standing campaign for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. He emphasised that this is not a solo mission but a pursuit grounded in the common African position. “Africa is the only continent or grouping that has a common position on what should be done when it comes to reforming the UN Security Council,” Tuggar said. He insisted that the continent must have a minimum of two permanent seats, a demand based on the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration agreed upon by African Union members.
The Minister also outlined Nigeria’s stance on key peace and security issues, noting that the Vice President is scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister of Sudan and participate in an African Union Peace and Security Council meeting. “We want to ensure that when it comes to peace, the contributions to peacekeeping, not just troops, but the funding, we are not hit twice,” Tuggar said, highlighting Nigeria’s significant contributions to UN peacekeeping missions over the decades.
Beyond high politics, the delegation aims to use the UNGA platform to drive economic investment. The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Uba Sani, who is part of the delegation, expressed confidence that Nigeria’s participation would burnish its credentials as a prime investment destination. “We are looking at areas of our strength,” the Governor said. “We are looking at solid mineral resources, in which Nigeria is really doing extremely well. We are also looking at other areas of investment that have to do with our economy; that is, the area of Agriculture and other areas of the economy, skills-based education in our country.”
Echoing this focus on economics, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olajumoke Omoniyi Oduwole, detailed a packed schedule of promotional events. She highlighted the ‘Nigeria Investment Day’, which Vice President Shettima will attend, designed to showcase priority sectors like solid minerals and telecommunications. “It is to push forward the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said, “and to make sure that all the friends of Nigeria in New York for this event are well vast in the position of where we are now.”
Adding to the busy agenda, Vice President Shettima is also set to announce Nigeria’s new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, detailing the country’s updated commitments to combating climate change.
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