Kashim Shettima At UNGA: A STRONG VOICE FOR NIGERIA AND AFRICA

Kashim Shettima At UNGA: A STRONG VOICE FOR NIGERIA AND AFRICA

By: Inuwa Bwala

Vice President Kashim Shettima’s appearance on September 24, 2026, delivering Nigeria’s National Statement for the third consecutive year on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was a demonstration of consistency, confidence and statesmanship.

At the risk of sounding immodest, I dare say, that, President Bola Tinubu could not have done it better.
The Vice President’s central message was clear and powerful, to the effect that, “Nigeria believes in multilateralism, but the institutions that govern our world must become more representative, equitable, and responsive to the realities of today.”

This is a positive and mature foreign policy posture. It shows Nigeria is not isolationist, but reformist. Shettima affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the UN system while boldly advocating for President Tinubu’s long-standing call for reform of global institutions, particularly the UN Security Council and international financial architecture, so as to give developing countries a stronger voice.

To me, it remains Nigeria’s strongest and clearest articulation of where our national interest targets.

His declaration that “Our engagements will be guided by Nigeria’s national interest” resonated well at home and abroad. It frames Nigeria not as a passive aid-recipient, but as a strategic partner negotiating firmly for trade, investment, technology transfer and climate finance. This is exactly the tone Nigerians want to hear on the world stage and the intermitent applause from the delegates was a testimony to this.

Beyond the General Assembly Hall, Shettima scored a major point at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group. He called for an end to Africa’s dependence on raw mineral exports and advocated for processing and manufacturing industries within Africa.

His argument that Africa’s mineral wealth must translate into jobs, industrial growth and improved living standards is a forward-looking, pan-African economic vision. It positions Nigeria as a leader in the new scramble for critical minerals, demanding value-addition, not exploitation.

The Vice President’s sideline engagement with Nigerians in Diaspora in New York, calling on them to support the economic transformation agenda, shows a holistic approach — using UNGA not just for speeches, but for investment mobilization.
To me, and of vourse many Nigerians, including critics of the Bola Tinu u administration, the verall Verdict, is that, Shettima’s performance at UNGA 81 was presidential, articulate and strategically aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He projected Nigeria as stable, confident, reform-minded, and ready to lead Africa’s demand for a fairer world order, under the UNGA 81 theme of “Restoring trust, managing transformation.”
It was a positive outing that strengthened Nigeria’s image as the voice of Africa and the Global South.

Kashim Shettima At UNGA: A STRONG VOICE FOR NIGERIA AND AFRICA