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Tag: Shettima

  • Shettima urges AU to prioritise diplomacy in conflict resolution

    Shettima urges AU to prioritise diplomacy in conflict resolution

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the African Union (AU) to reinvigorate diplomacy as the foremost instrument for preventing and resolving conflicts on the continent, warning that reliance on external military interventions undermines Africa’s collective security framework.

    Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made the call at a meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

    In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima noted that while the AU’s Peace Support Operations (PSOs) have played a crucial role in peacekeeping and enforcement across Africa, the enormous financial burden makes it increasingly difficult to sustain.

    Read Also: Shettima meets UN Chief, pushes Nigeria’s bid for permanent security council seat

    With the UN and traditional partners shifting attention to crises outside Africa, he said it was imperative for the AU to deepen diplomatic and political approaches that tackle the root causes of conflicts.

    “Our continent must continue to maintain a diplomatic approach in its conflict prevention and resolution endeavours. Future peace operations, particularly those mandated by the UN, must include diplomatic and political strategies that ultimately address the root causes of conflict”, Shettima said.

    The Vice President further warned against the proliferation of peace initiatives that dilute AU-led processes, stressing that foreign military forces, mercenaries, and defence contractors in some member states negate the spirit of Africa’s common defence and security policy.

    He therefore urged the Council to adopt a communiqué demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of such forces.

    “To succeed, we must expeditiously address obstacles to the operationalisation of the African Standby Force and adopt a strategy for its deployment in conflict situations,” Shettima added, calling for closer coordination with regional economic communities.

    Earlier, the United Nations Special Representative to the AU, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, lamented the rise in armed conflicts amid dwindling peace funding.

    He urged member states to invest in national peacebuilding and conflict prevention mechanisms, emphasising that “prevention must start at home.”

    In a related engagement, Vice President Shettima identified education as the single most rewarding public investment, saying each additional year of schooling significantly boosts lifetime earnings while reducing risks of fragility and conflict.

    Speaking at a high-level event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy in collaboration with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Shettima highlighted how well-targeted education financing addresses instability, extreme poverty, and youth unemployment.

    “GPE multiplies impact through financing, policy support, and incentives. In 2024 alone, it approved over $1.2 billion in new grants and mobilised more than $1.5 billion in co-financing,” he said, noting Nigeria’s own initiatives such as integrating children from religious schools into mainstream education and improving teacher training to support girls’ education.

    He urged donor nations to protect and expand official development assistance for education, prioritise predictable funding, and back initiatives such as girls’ education accelerators.

    “Nigeria stands ready to work with all partners to make GPE 2030 a turning point. We hope our collective action matches the scale of our children’s promise”, Shettima said.

  • Shettima’s outstanding performance at UNGA as testament to loyalty to Tinubu, Nigeria – NCRT

    Shettima’s outstanding performance at UNGA as testament to loyalty to Tinubu, Nigeria – NCRT

    A civic group, the National Coalition for Renewed Transformation (NCRT), has commended Vice President Kashim Shettima for what it described as an “outstanding and historic performance” at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he delivered President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address on behalf of Nigeria.

    In a statement issued on Saturday by its president, Otunba Leke Adebodun, the coalition said Shettima’s performance at the global stage was both a testament to his personal loyalty to President Tinubu and a demonstration of Nigeria’s renewed commitment to multilateralism, peace, and sustainable development.

    “The Vice President carried the voice of Nigeria with dignity, conviction, and clarity. At a time when global institutions are facing profound questions of relevance, his delivery of President Tinubu’s message at the United Nations reflected not only loyalty to the president but also loyalty to the ideals of Nigeria’s founding fathers and to the aspirations of millions of citizens,” Adebodun said. 

    The coalition noted that Shettima’s speech struck a delicate balance between confronting the world with uncomfortable truths and offering constructive pathways forward. 

    It recalled that the address touched on a broad range of issues from global debt to climate change, from peace and security to digital innovation, and from the plight of Palestinians to the urgency of reforming the UN Security Council.

    According to Adebodun, Shettima’s presentation of Tinubu’s words showed that Nigeria is once again reclaiming its voice on the global stage.

     “When he spoke about billions being wasted on wars while little is invested in peace, he echoed the very frustrations of the developing world. When he reminded the Assembly that Africa deserves a permanent seat on the Security Council, he brought to the fore a demand long overdue. And when he declared that the Palestinian people deserve a home of their own, he underscored Nigeria’s principled stance on justice and human rights,” he said.

    The coalition also highlighted Shettima’s ability to weave Nigeria’s domestic realities into the global conversation. His reference to floods in Maiduguri and other Nigerian cities, the challenges of terrorism and insurgency, and the weight of unsustainable debt, were described as a “sobering reminder that the fate of nations is interconnected.”

    For the NCRT, the loyalty Shettima demonstrated in carrying President Tinubu’s vision before world leaders is a reflection of the renewed trust between the president and his vice. 

    “There is no daylight between them. The Vice President did not merely read a text; he embodied the philosophy of Renewed Hope and presented Nigeria’s case with passion and precision. This is the mark of genuine loyalty, the kind that elevates leadership rather than diminishes it,” Adebodun stressed.

    Read Also: Shettima tasks NIPSS on partnerships for national development

    The coalition insisted that Shettima’s UNGA outing was not just symbolic but substantive, adding that key soundbites from the address will shape policy debates for months to come, particularly Nigeria’s calls for reform of the international financial architecture, asset recovery, inclusive tax regimes, and access to climate financing for developing countries.

    “Vice President Shettima has given Nigerians a reason to be proud. He reminded the world that our country is not a passive observer of global events but an active shaper of global conversations. His presence in New York was a strong demonstration that Nigeria, under President Tinubu, is ready to lead Africa and engage the world with confidence,” the statement added.

    The coalition further urged Nigerians at home to draw inspiration from the Vice President’s performance. 

    “This was not just about international diplomacy; it was about showing that Nigeria has leaders who can articulate our vision before the world. It was about showing loyalty that is not blind, but intelligent, loyal to the president and to the people simultaneously. That is what Shettima delivered at the United Nations,” Adebodun stressed.

    Reaffirming its support for the Tinubu administration, the coalition said it will continue to mobilise Nigerians towards national renewal and transformation.

     “At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima stood tall for Nigeria. That moment belongs not just to him, not just to the president, but to every Nigerian who still believes in the possibility of a great nation. We celebrate him and reaffirm our loyalty to President Tinubu and the country we all serve,” the group said.

  • Shettima tasks NIPSS on partnerships for national development

    Shettima tasks NIPSS on partnerships for national development

    …As Muhammad-Bande calls for reimagined leadership training

    …Omotayo stresses quality nomination process

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has charged the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to strengthen its collaboration with government institutions, the private sector, and international partners to sharpen its role in national development.

    Speaking at a two-day Stakeholders Conference with nominators of participants for the Senior Executive Course (SEC) and other strategic partners, held at the State House Auditorium, Abuja, Shettima said the Institute must remain a listening institution that continually reforms to meet Nigeria’s leadership and policy needs.

    The Vice President, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Office of the Vice President, Dr. Tope Fasua, stressed that feedback from stakeholders was critical to improving the quality, discipline, and impact of the SEC programme.

    “Today’s gathering is not only about nomination to the SEC programme. It is about feedback and partnership for development. The Senior Executive Course has, for decades, served as a premier platform for developing leaders who shape national policy and institutional transformation. But we must continually ask: how can we make it even more effective?”, he said.

    On the quality of nominations, Shettima emphasized that while there were calls to broaden entry requirements, inclusivity must not come at the cost of excellence.

    “Flexibility must not be confused with compromise. The SEC is designed for those at near-peak leadership levels — policy shapers, decision influencers, and institutional drivers,” he maintained.

    The Vice President also addressed emerging challenges such as breaches of discipline, health concerns of nominees, and the growing demand for slots.

    He noted that discipline remained “non-negotiable” and urged nominating institutions to ensure candidates are physically and mentally prepared for the rigours of the course.

    Reaffirming the government’s support, Shettima disclosed that reforms of NIPSS — including the review of its enabling law and staff conditions of service — were ongoing.

    He described the Institute as “a beacon of intellectual excellence, policy innovation, and leadership development” that must be preserved and strengthened.

    Meanwhile, in his keynote address titled “Reimagining Leadership Development in Nigeria”, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, urged the Institute to continuously reassess its mandate and methods in line with national goals.

    He described NIPSS as Nigeria’s premier leadership institution with a unique charge to train policy shapers on matters of presidential importance, adding that this placed on it “a huge, vital responsibility to train especially public sector actors to look after the strategic interests of the nation.”

    Bande recommended a closer review of the SEC curriculum, more interactive lectures, and stronger participation in study group work.

    He also raised concerns over allegations of ghost-written individual projects, suggesting the Institute consider alternatives for participants less inclined toward research.

    On study tours, he called for better coordination to overcome delays and duplication, while insisting that funding for NIPSS should remain a national responsibility rather than depend heavily on paid programmes.

    On nominations, he suggested officers at the deputy director level with at least three years left in service should form the pool, to ensure maximum value from the programme.

    For Bande, leadership training at NIPSS must align with Nigeria’s constitutional and policy aspirations of building “a free and democratic society, a just and egalitarian nation, and a land of bright opportunities for all citizens.”

    Earlier in his welcome remarks, Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, underscored the importance of the conference as a platform for structured stakeholder engagement.

    He said the quality and strategic alignment of nominees were central to the success of the SEC programme.

    “The quality and strategic alignment of nominees directly determine the depth and impact of the Senior Executive Course,” he stated.

    While acknowledging calls to broaden entry requirements, he stressed the need to safeguard standards to preserve the SEC’s prestige.

    Omotayo said the Institute was committed to continuous reform and innovation but required sustained partnerships with nominating institutions, government, and the private sector to fulfil its mandate of grooming leaders for national transformation.

  • Nigeria targets 7% annual growth, Shettima tells global partners at UNGA

    Nigeria targets 7% annual growth, Shettima tells global partners at UNGA

    Nigeria is targeting annual economic growth of no less than seven per cent, Vice President Kashim Shettima said yesterday.

    He said the anticipated growth would be anchored on macroeconomic stability, improved productivity, and strategic investments in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and transportation.

    Shettima expressed the optimism during his  bilateral engagements with the Namibian delegation on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.

    He  also called for a stronger relation between Nigeria and Namibia.

    Shettima, who is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the global event, said Nigeria’s growth ambitions were backed by reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    A statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Shettima welcomed President of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitbia’s visit to President Tinubu in Nigeria.

    READ ALSO: Priscilla Ojo, son reunite with Juma Jux in Tanzania

    The Namibian leader, who assumed the presidency on March 21, praised Nigerian diplomats for their invaluable contributions to her government and country in so many ways.

    She acknowledged Nigeria’s leadershiprole in Africa, saying: “All the Nigerian diplomats were basically Namiians, helping in so many ways.”

    Nandi-Ndaitwah said she found it appropriate to leverage the UNGA opportunity to meet with Vice President Shettima, adding: “I will still find time to come physically and introduce myself to the President.”

    Vice President Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Namibia.

    He said:  “We are all Africans, and the Nigeria–Namibia relationship should be taken to the next level, beyond where it is now.”

    The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries, including Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; and Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.

    Vice President Shettima also met with a delegation from the Gates Foundation led by CEO Mark Suzman.

    He thanked the Foundation for its support in healthcare, agriculture, and financial inclusion, while calling for expanded investment in Nigeria.

    He said: “In the Gates Foundation, we have a partner that we trust and believe in. If all high-net-worth individuals made even half the investment Bill Gates has made, the world would be a better place. Kindly convey the highest regards of my boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Mr Gates.”

    Highlighting Nigeria’s growth ambitions, the Vice President said: “Our target over the next few years is to achieve annual growth rates of no less than seven per cent, anchored on macroeconomic stability, improved productivity, and strategic investment in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and education.”

    The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, also appealed for greater Gates Foundation support in education, especially in the areas of technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

    He said: “What I want to put on the table to the Gates Foundation is increased investment in education. I have met with your representatives in Africa, and they indicated that the initial focus over the years had been on child nutrition but not education.

    “Now I think there is more focus on education, so I am seeking enhanced support in that area to bolster our foundational education. We don’t have adequate support at all.”

    Suzman pledged enhanced investment in human capital development, education, and health, noting the foundation’s significant progress in digital identity and digital financial inclusion in Nigeria.

    He commended the strong commitment of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, saying: “Nigeria is really one of our strongest partners on the African continent, and I’m looking forward to hearing from you about where and how we might be more helpful while assuring you of our continued support.”

    “We just signed new grants with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to support related initiatives, and we are very encouraged by your broader efforts.”

    At the session were other Gates Foundation officials – Mr Rodger Voorhies, President, Global Growth and Opportunity Division; Mr Uche Amaonwu, Country Director, Nigeria Office; and Dr Paulin Basinga, Director for Africa.

  • Nigeria targets 7% annual growth, Shettima tells global partners at UNGA

    Nigeria targets 7% annual growth, Shettima tells global partners at UNGA

    Nigeria is targeting annual economic growth of no less than seven per cent anchored on macroeconomic stability, improved productivity, and strategic investments in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and education, Vice President Kashim Shettima has affirmed.

    Shettima, who stated this on Tuesday during a series of high-level bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, also called for a stronger relation between Nigeria and Namibia.

    Shettima, who is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the UNGA, said Nigeria’s growth ambitions were backed by reforms already underway under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    A statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima host to the President of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitbia, who announced her planned official visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Nigeria.

    The Namibian leader, who assumed the presidency on March 21, 2025, praised Nigerian diplomats for their invaluable contributions to her government and country in so many ways.

    “All the Nigerian diplomats were basically Namibians, helping in so many ways,” she stated, acknowledging Nigeria’s leadership role among African member states.

    Nandi-Ndaitwah said she found it appropriate to leverage the UNGA opportunity to meet with Shettima, promising: “I will still find time to come physically and introduce myself to the President.”

    Vice President Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Namibia, saying, “We are all Africans, and the Nigeria–Namibia relationship should be taken to the next level, beyond where it is now.”

    The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries, including Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; and Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.

    In a separate high-level session, Vice President Shettima met with a delegation from the Gates Foundation led by CEO Mark Suzman. He thanked the Foundation for its support in healthcare, agriculture, and financial inclusion, while calling for expanded investment in Nigeria.

    “In the Gates Foundation, we have a partner that we trust and believe in. If all high-net-worth individuals made even half the investment Bill Gates has made, the world would be a better place. Kindly convey the highest regards of my boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Mr Gates,” VP Shettima said.

    Highlighting Nigeria’s growth ambitions, the Vice President added: “Our target over the next few years is to achieve annual growth rates of no less than seven per cent, anchored on macroeconomic stability, improved productivity, and strategic investment in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and education.”

    Minister of Education, Dr Alausa, also appealed for greater Gates Foundation support in education, especially in the areas of technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. 

    “What I want to put on the table to the Gates Foundation is increased investment in education. I have met with your representatives in Africa, and they indicated that the initial focus over the years had been on child nutrition but not education. Now I think there is more focus on education, so I am seeking enhanced support in that area to bolster our foundational education. We don’t have adequate support at all,” the minister said.

    Read Also: Shettima to deliver Tinubu’s address at UNGA 80 today

    Responding, CEO Suzman pledged enhanced investment in human capital development, education, and health, noting the foundation’s significant progress in digital identity and digital financial inclusion in Nigeria.

    He commended the strong commitment of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, stating: “Nigeria is really one of our strongest partnerships on the African continent, and I’m looking forward to hearing from you about where and how we might be more helpful while assuring you of our continued support.”

    “We just signed new grants with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to support related initiatives, and we are very encouraged by your broader efforts,” Suzman added.

    Also present from the Gates Foundation were Mr Rodger Voorhies, President, Global Growth and Opportunity Division; Mr Uche Amaonwu, Country Director, Nigeria Office; and Dr Paulin Basinga, Director for Africa.

  • Shettima to deliver Tinubu’s address at UNGA 80 today

    Shettima to deliver Tinubu’s address at UNGA 80 today

    Vice President Kashim Shettima will today (Wednesday) deliver Nigeria’s statement at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    According to a statement on Wednesday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, the address is slated for between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. New York time.

    The national statement is expected to focus on key global issues, including multilateralism, UN reform, climate action, and international finance restructuring.

    At the same platform last year, President Tinubu demanded permanent seats for Africa on the United Nations Security Council, a proposal that is now under consideration by the world body.

  • Shettima showcases Nigeria’s $200b energy transition potential at UNGA 80

    Shettima showcases Nigeria’s $200b energy transition potential at UNGA 80

    Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday pitched Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors.

    He said the country is strategically positioned as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s (AfCFTA’s) $3.4 trillion market.

    Speaking at a roundtable hosted by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) in New York, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Shettima said Nigeria’s vast economic transformation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was already attracting strong investor commitments.

    The VP, who is representing President Tinubu, stressed that in this interconnected age, the wealth of any nation is neither achieved through miracles nor inheritance. 

    Showcasing Nigeria’s wealth, he noted that the country is West Africa’s largest economy and Africa’s largest consumer market, with 236 million people today, projected to reach 320 million by 2040. 

    Beyond being a demographic giant, Shettima stressed that with a median age of about 17, more than 58 per cent of whom are under 30, Nigeria is home to one of the deepest talent pools in the world. 

    READ ALSO: How to curb Corruption in Nigeria

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Senator Shettima said: “When you add to this our geographic position as a natural hub for trade between Africa, the Americas, and Asia; our 44 distinct natural resources; our five tech unicorns; the largest oil reserves in Africa; and 210 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, you see that Naija no dey carry last (Nigeria doesn’t come last),” he added. 

    The Vice President told the global audience that since mid-2023, under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria has embarked on one of the boldest economic resets in its history. 

    He cited the unification of Nigeria’s exchange rates, the removal of decades-old fuel subsidies that distorted the Nigerian economy, the modernisation of Nigeria’s tax and customs regimes, strengthened fiscal oversight, and the overhaul of Nigeria’s trade and investment policies as shining examples of the Renewed Hope reforms. 

    Shettima added: “This reset includes full implementation of the AfCFTA, the roll-out of a National Single Window for trade, a new Investment and Securities Act, an upgraded PPP framework, and modernised bilateral investment treaties. 

    “The results are already visible. Our GDP growth is accelerating, our external reserves are strengthening, and inflation is moderating. This is why investor commitments are also rebounding.” 

    Stressing Nigeria’s vast economic transformation and potential, the VP recalled that in April, Fitch upgraded Nigeria’s sovereign rating to B with a stable outlook, and Moody’s lifted its issuer rating to B3 with a stable outlook. 

    He highlighted that the two rating platforms cited Nigeria’s improved buffers and clearer policy direction as their barometer.

    Shettima also said: “This positions Nigeria as the natural hub for the AfCFTA’s $3.4 trillion market. 

    “We have also built a four-pillar incentive framework designed to reduce investor risk, accelerate cash returns, and make Nigeria one of the most competitive destinations for capital in the Global South. 

    “A simpler, predictable tax regime now offers clear capital allowances, research and development deductions, and export-linked rebates, while investors in priority sectors can achieve faster breakeven through five percent annual tax credits on qualifying capital expenditure.”

    He also shared with the audience that in Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones, the Federal Government offers duty-free imports, rent concessions, rebates on non-oil export proceeds, and integrated logistics platforms that unlock working capital for exporters. 

    “Cross-border protections now include updated bilateral investment treaties, investor promotion and protection agreements, structured repatriation pathways, and streamlined FX access. These give investors confidence that their capital and profits are protected,” the VP said. 

    According to him, Nigeria’s Special Agro-Industrial Zones are reducing post-harvest losses by up to 40 per cent and linking farmers directly to processing and export hubs, transforming Nigeria from a fragmented producer into a continent-scale food system serving millions across West Africa. 

    Commenting on energy, Shettima said: “With 210 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves and one of the highest solar irradiation levels in Africa, Nigeria offers a 200-billion-dollar energy transition opportunity.” 

    He stressed that fiscal incentives and VAT waivers are de-risking investment in both traditional and renewable power assets, from gas-fired independent power plants to off-grid solar and clean hydrogen pilots. 

    The Vice President noted that while Nigeria faces a one-billion-dollar annual gap in transport, ports, and power infrastructure, through InfraCorp and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, the government is blending sovereign and private finance to fund metro lines, dry ports, and industrial corridors, building the backbone of West African trade and creating long-term revenue streams for investors. 

    “Special Economic Zone clusters now host over five billion dollars in installed industrial capacity, with backward-integration incentives and AfCFTA corridors opening a multi-billion-dollar continental market. 

    “These reforms are transforming Nigeria into Africa’s production floor and innovation lab,” he added. 

    The Vice President maintained that Nigeria hosts forty-four commercially viable minerals worth over seven hundred billion dollars under a new beneficiation and security regime. 

    He said investors could secure early positions in lithium, gold, bitumen, and rare earths critical to the global green transition.

  • Shettima showcases Nigeria’s $200bn energy transition potential at UNGA 80, woos investors

    Shettima showcases Nigeria’s $200bn energy transition potential at UNGA 80, woos investors

    Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday pitched Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors, declaring that the country is strategically positioned as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s (AfCFTA) $3.4 trillion market.

    Speaking at a roundtable hosted by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) in New York, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, Shettima said Nigeria’s vast economic transformation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was already attracting strong investor commitments.

    The VP, representing President Bola Tinubu at UNGA80, highlighted that in this interconnected age, the wealth of any nation is neither achieved through miracles nor inherited.

    Read Also: Fubara: I’ve made peace with Wike, we’re working together

    Showcasing the wealth of the nation, he began by saying that Nigeria is West Africa’s largest economy and Africa’s largest consumer market, with 236 million people today, projected to reach 320 million by 2040.

    Beyond being a demographic giant, Shettima pointed out that with a median age of about 17, more than 58 percent of whom are under 30, Nigeria is home to one of the deepest talent pools in the world.

    According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said: “When you add to this our geographic position as a natural hub for trade between Africa, the Americas, and Asia; our 44 distinct natural resources; our five tech unicorns; the largest oil reserves in Africa; and 210 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, you see that Naija no dey carry last.”

    The Vice President told the global audience that since mid-2023, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria has embarked on one of the boldest economic resets in its history.

    He cited the unification of Nigeria’s exchange rates, the removal of decades-old fuel subsidies that distorted the Nigerian economy, the modernization of Nigeria’s tax and customs regimes, strengthened fiscal oversight, and the overhaul of Nigeria’s trade and investment policies as shining examples of the Renewed Hope reforms.

    The VP continued: “This reset includes full implementation of the AfCFTA, the roll-out of a National Single Window for trade, a new Investment and Securities Act, an upgraded PPP framework, and modernized bilateral investment treaties.

    “The results are already visible. Our GDP growth is accelerating, our external reserves are strengthening, and inflation is moderating. This is why investor commitments are also rebounding.”

    Stressing Nigeria’s vast economic transformation and potential, the VP recalled that in April, Fitch upgraded Nigeria’s sovereign rating to B with a stable outlook, and Moody’s lifted its issuer rating to B3 with a stable outlook.

    He highlighted that the two rating platforms cited Nigeria’s improved buffers and clearer policy direction as their barometer, adding that “This positions Nigeria as the natural hub for the AfCFTA’s 3.4 trillion-dollar market.”

    “We have also built a four-pillar incentives framework designed to reduce investor risk, accelerate cash returns, and make Nigeria one of the most competitive destinations for capital in the Global South.

    “A simpler, predictable tax regime now offers clear capital allowances, research and development deductions, and export-linked rebates, while investors in priority sectors can achieve faster breakeven through five percent annual tax credits on qualifying capital expenditure,” he highlighted.

    He also shared with the audience that in Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones, the federal government offers duty-free imports, rent concessions, rebates on non-oil export proceeds, and integrated logistics platforms that unlock working capital for exporters.

    “Cross-border protections now include updated bilateral investment treaties, investor promotion and protection agreements, structured repatriation pathways, and streamlined FX access. These give investors confidence that their capital and profits are protected,” he said.

    The Vice President added that the nation’s Special Agro-Industrial Zones are reducing post-harvest losses by up to forty percent and linking farmers directly to processing and export hubs, transforming Nigeria from a fragmented producer into a continent-scale food system serving millions across West Africa.

    On energy, the Vice President disclosed that “With 210 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves and one of the highest solar irradiation levels in Africa, Nigeria offers a 200-billion-dollar energy transition opportunity.”

    He stressed that fiscal incentives and VAT waivers are de-risking investment in both traditional and renewable power assets, from gas-fired independent power plants to off-grid solar and clean hydrogen pilots.

  • Shettima arrives New York for UNGA 80

    Shettima arrives New York for UNGA 80

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived New York, United States, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which runs from Monday, September 22, to Sunday, September 28, 2025.

    Shettima is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the high-level general debate, announce the country’s new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, and participate in several bilateral meetings and side events, including the Global Champions Roundtable on Adequate and Affordable Housing.

    He was received at the John F. Kennedy International Airport by Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; Charge d’Affaires at Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Ambassador Samson Itegboje, and other senior officials.

    Speaking on Nigeria’s priorities at this year’s Assembly, Tuggar reaffirmed the country’s commitment to effective multilateralism and reforms of the global financial system. 

    He said Nigeria was championing the UN Global Convention on Taxation, which he described as central to ongoing efforts to create a fairer international financial architecture.

    According to a statement on Monday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Tuggar said “this is something that has put Nigeria in the position of leadership. 

    “We also want to ensure that Nigeria’s push to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council is sustained, because Africa has a common position on this through the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration”, Tuggar said.

    The Minister stressed that Africa must secure at least two permanent seats on the Security Council and highlighted Nigeria’s contributions to UN peacekeeping operations. 

    He also reiterated Nigeria’s positions on conflicts in Gaza, Eastern Congo, and Sudan, noting that the Vice President will meet the Sudanese Prime Minister and attend the African Union Peace and Security Council session.

    Read Also: Shettima to present Nigeria’s statement at UNGA Wed

    Kaduna Governor, Uba Sani, who is part of the delegation, said Nigeria’s presence at UNGA 80 would further reposition the country as a prime investment destination. 

    He pointed to opportunities in solid minerals, agriculture and skills-based education.

    Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olajumoke Omoniyi Oduwole, added that Nigeria would use the platform to promote the Renewed Hope Agenda through targeted interventions, including a “Nigeria Investment Day” scheduled for Monday. 

    She said priority sectors such as solid minerals, telecommunications, and technology would be showcased to global investors.

    The week-long Assembly, which marks the UN’s 80th anniversary, is expected to focus heavily on global security, climate action, sustainable development, and financing for development.

  • Shettima to present Nigeria’s statement at UNGA Wed

    Shettima to present Nigeria’s statement at UNGA Wed

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for New York, the United States, where he will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

    The week-long gathering of world leaders is scheduled to take place from today till Sunday, September 28.

    According to an earlier statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President will deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the high-level general debates and participate in several side events lined up for the assembly.

    Shettima’s presence underscores Nigeria’s active engagement in global discourse at a time the UN is marking its 80th anniversary.

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    A major highlight of Shettima’s itinerary is his expected announcement of Nigeria’s new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

    The updated climate commitments are set to be unveiled during a special UN event on climate for Heads of State and Government, signaling Nigeria’s readiness to play a stronger role in tackling global environmental challenges.

    The Vice President’s trip comes as President Tinubu continues to push Nigeria’s agenda on sustainable development, climate action, and global partnerships, with Shettima leading the delegation on his behalf at the landmark New York gathering.