The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which starts on Monday and ends on September 28, has brought Vice President Kashim Shettima to New York. Shettima, speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, will announce Nigeria's new Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, deliver the country's national statement during the high-level general debates, and participate in several roundtables, bilateral meetings, and side events.
Tinubu was reportedly supposed to speak at the UN headquarters in New York at the 80th Session of the high-level General Debate of the UN General Assembly. Tinubu was scheduled to speak on the second day of the event, according to an updated tentative speaker list.
He would have been the 17th global leader to speak on day two of the general discussion, with his speech slated for the afternoon session at roughly 8:30 p.m. local time (or 2:30 p.m. Nigerian time).
The Vice President was greeted at John F. Kennedy International Airport by Nigeria's Chargé d'Affaires at the Permanent Mission to the UN, Amb. Samson Itegboje, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, and Minister of Defense, Badaru Abubakar.
Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology; Brig.-Gen. Edward Koleoso, Nigeria's Defense Attaché in New York, and Group Capt. Sani Kalgo, Nigeria's Defense Attaché in Washington, was among those there to greet him.
Tuggar outlined Nigeria's objectives for UNGA 80, stating that the nation will keep advocating for Africa's participation on the UN Security Council and the ratification of a United Nations Global Convention on Taxation.
"Nigeria is now in a leadership position because of this," he stated. "We also support Nigeria's efforts to join the Security Council permanently, as the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, which call for at least two permanent seats, are shared by Africa."
Nigeria would also restate its position on peacekeeping efforts and international wars, such as the Gaza, Eastern Congo, and Sudan crises, he noted.
According to Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Nigeria's attendance at the UNGA will enhance its standing as a major African economic and investment hub.
The governor stated, "We are examining areas of strength like agriculture, solid minerals, and skills-based education." "The Vice President's speech on Wednesday will solidify Nigeria's position as the continent's most prosperous economy."
Nigeria will also utilize the forum to promote investment prospects and the Renewed Hope Agenda, according to Dr. Olajumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
"We are hosting Nigeria Investment Day on Monday, which will highlight technology, telecommunications, and solid minerals," she stated. "It is to engage our partners on where we are headed and to demonstrate the reforms the Nigerian economy has undergone over the last two years."
Among other high-level meetings, Shettima will also attend the African Union Peace and Security Council meeting and meet with the Sudanese prime minister.