By ThePreview Team

 

Vice President Kashim Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday afternoon, marking the third consecutive year he will represent President Bola Tinubu.

According to the updated provisional list of speakers, Nigeria is scheduled as the fourth speaker in the afternoon session of the General Debate on 24 September.

The afternoon session runs from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. New York time. Mr Shettima is expected to speak between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., which is 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. in Nigeria.

President Tinubu was initially listed as the eighth speaker on Wednesday morning, moving up from the 10th position. Under UN protocol, heads of state are given precedence over vice presidents, prime ministers and ministers.

On Sunday, President Tinubu directed Mr Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

At this year’s high-level week, Mr Shettima joins 73 heads of state, 45 heads of government, 49 ministers, 11 vice presidents and one crown prince.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Mr Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement outlining the country’s positions on major global issues.

The appearance on Thursday will be the third successive time Mr Shettima will address the General Debate on behalf of the president. He represented Mr Tinubu at the 79th session in 2024 and the 80th session in 2025. President Tinubu personally addressed the 78th session in September 2023, months after assuming office.

The presidency said Mr Shettima will lead a high-level delegation comprising Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.

ALSO READ: Nigeria, Brazil move ‘from dialogue to delivery’ as agro-trade market access takes off — Shettima

Beyond the national statement, he is expected to participate in high-level meetings on issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and Africa and hold bilateral talks with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines.

The 81st UN General Debate opens on Tuesday, 22 September and will run until Monday, 28 September.

The theme for this year’s session is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all,” with Ambassador Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh serving as President of the 81st Session.

The General Assembly is the UN’s principal deliberative and policymaking body, bringing together all 193 member states with equal representation.