In a significant diplomatic push, Vice President Kashim Shettima held strategic talks with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres during the UN General Assembly in New York, advancing Nigeria’s bid for enhanced global influence and international cooperation.
The high-level meeting focused on Nigeria’s aspirations for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, with Shettima emphasizing the country’s readiness to assume greater responsibilities on the world stage. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar confirmed that Guterres recognized Nigeria’s leadership potential and supported its Security Council ambitions.
The discussions expanded to critical global issues, including climate action, sustainable development, and democratic stability across Africa. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani highlighted Nigeria’s technological advancements, noting that Guterres commended the country’s pioneering development of Africa’s first government-backed multilingual AI model and encouraged Nigeria to lead regional efforts in inclusive digital transformation.
On humanitarian cooperation, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu detailed Nigeria’s progress in social intervention programs, revealing that the national social register now includes approximately 18.9 million households, with 8.1 million Nigerians benefiting from conditional cash transfers. While acknowledging challenges such as reduced international donor support, Sununu affirmed the UN’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s humanitarian initiatives.
Shettima’s diplomatic agenda also included bilateral discussions with UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, where both nations agreed to enhance collaboration in trade, security, and migration management.
Addressing the Global Leadership Council at UNICEF, the Vice President reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to youth engagement and women’s empowerment through digital innovation.
Shettima emphasized Nigeria’s preparedness to leverage opportunities in the digital economy to engage youth and, most critically, empower women, who he described as the backbone of the society.
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