Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after leading the country’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, while the Presidency has assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu is “hale and hearty” and expected back in the country.
Shettima returned after representing Tinubu at the annual gathering of world leaders, having departed Abuja on September 20 on the President’s mandate.
His arrival comes amid sustained public interest in Tinubu’s prolonged stay outside Nigeria. The President left the country on August 30 for a working vacation in Europe and subsequently extended his stay in France.
According to a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Shettima’s participation at the United Nations provided an opportunity for Nigeria to articulate its position on key international matters, including reform of the UN Security Council, development financing, climate support, regional integration and global economic cooperation.
At the General Debate of the 81st UN General Assembly, Shettima delivered Tinubu’s national statement, where Nigeria renewed its call for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council.
The Nigerian delegation also advocated reforms aimed at ensuring more equitable access to international financing, increased support for climate initiatives and stronger cooperation among nations.
Shettima equally represented Nigeria at discussions focused on Africa’s mineral resources. During the engagements, he presented Tinubu’s position that African nations should reduce their dependence on the export of raw minerals by investing in local processing, manufacturing and other value-added industries.
The Vice President also attended a high-level event on education financing co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy. He used the occasion to restate the Federal Government’s position that sustained investment in education is critical to boosting productivity, building human capital and improving Nigeria’s long-term economic outlook.
Nigeria further endorsed the Global Partnership for Education’s campaign to mobilise $5 billion for education financing.
Outside his official diplomatic engagements, Shettima met with Nigerians in the diaspora and discussed their potential contribution to national development. He stressed the importance of diaspora investments, professional expertise and international networks in supporting Nigeria’s economic growth.
The Vice President also met with the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States Commission and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed.
The Office of the Vice President said the meetings enabled Nigeria to pursue its interests in areas including development financing, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security and regional integration.
Shettima’s return comes as the Presidency continues to defend Tinubu’s decision to remain outside Nigeria after the President chose not to attend the UN General Assembly in person.
The Presidency has dismissed concerns over Tinubu’s absence, maintaining that the President has remained engaged in the affairs of government despite being abroad.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said on Sunday that Tinubu was “hale and hearty” and entitled to take a working vacation.
“President Tinubu is hale and hearty,” Onanuga said, adding that the President was “perfectly entitled” to take a working vacation.
Onanuga also maintained that Tinubu did not have to be physically present in Abuja at all times to discharge his responsibilities, noting that modern communication technology allows the President to remain in contact with government officials.
“In this digital age, he does not need to be physically present in Abuja to do the work for which he was elected in 2023,” Onanuga said.
The Presidency said Tinubu had continued to monitor developments in Nigeria during his stay abroad and had also met investors and other stakeholders in France.
It cited the President’s involvement in discussions surrounding a proposed $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside as evidence of his continued official engagements while outside the country.
The Presidency had earlier announced that Tinubu’s working vacation, which commenced on August 30, would be extended by a few days. It initially indicated that he would return over the weekend following the extension.
The latest information from the Presidency indicates that Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29, through Lagos. He is also expected to participate in official activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary on October 1 before proceeding to Abuja.
The Presidency further said Tinubu is expected to attend the premiere of a film commemorating the late businessman and politician, MKO Abiola, during the Independence Day celebrations.
