Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to 80th UN General Assembly

Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York, United States.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Vice President will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, as well as other ministers and senior government officials.

The ministry explained that Nigeria’s participation will provide an opportunity to engage in global discussions on peace, security, development, climate change, and other pressing international issues.

Nigeria’s engagement, the ministry said, will be guided by strategic priorities including economic growth, international peace and security, human rights, humanitarian assistance, justice and international law, disarmament, and cooperation against terrorism, drug trafficking, and other crimes.

The event opens up on September 23, but Vice President Shettima is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 24, where he will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, highlighting the country’s contributions to global peace, regional security, and climate action.

Beyond the General Debate, Nigeria will participate in several high-level side events, including the International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine (co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia); a roundtable on energy, oil and gas, and security in the Gulf of Guinea; and the Forward Africa Leaders Symposium hosted by the African Peer Review Mechanism, focusing on digital transformation, fintech, and the AfCFTA digital trade policy framework.

This year’s UNGA session is themed: “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights,”highlighting global commitment to inclusivity, cooperation, and shared solutions while reaffirming the UN’s role in promoting peace, development, and human rights.