All eyes on New York this week - and Nigeria has just arrived in style. As world leaders file into the iconic UN Headquarters, Vice President Kashim Shettima is stepping up for President Bola Tinubu to tell Nigeria's story to the world. What will he say on Thursday?

Why This Matters?

For context, this is UNGA 81. The United Nations was founded in 1945 with 51 member states - it now has 193. The General Debate is the biggest annual diplomatic stage in the world, where every country gets 15 minutes to lay out its worldview.

For Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation with over 230 million people and the continent's largest economy, this speech is crucial. Historically, Nigeria has used UNGA to push for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council, debt relief, and fairer global trade.

This year's theme says it all: “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” It comes at a time of deep global distrust - wars in Gaza and Ukraine, a climate crisis hitting Africa hardest, and a scramble for critical minerals.

That last point is personal for Shettima. Just before the General Debate, he represented Tinubu at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group. His message was blunt: Africa must stop exporting raw minerals and start building factories, jobs and industries at home. No more digging and shipping while others profit.

Beyond the suits and flags, this is about people. When Shettima talks about “a more equitable global economic order” on Thursday, he will be speaking for the market woman in Onitsha dealing with inflation, the young tech founder in Yaba chasing funding, and the farmer in Zamfara facing insecurity and climate change.

That is why the Tinubu administration's stated priorities for this UNGA - reform of international institutions, sustainable development, peace and security, and climate action - hit home. It is about translating New York diplomacy into jobs, industrial growth and improved living standards back in Nigeria.

What Will Nigeria Actually Say on Thursday?

In simple terms, expect four key pillars in Shettima's national statement:

1. Reform of Global Institutions: Nigeria will likely repeat its long-standing call that the UN Security Council and global financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF must be reformed to give Africa a real seat at the table.

2. Peace and Security: From the Sahel insurgency to the crisis in Sudan, Africa's security challenges will be front and centre, with a call for more support and less external interference.

3. Climate and Development: Nigeria, though a major oil producer, is battling severe flooding and desertification. Expect a push for climate finance - rich nations delivering on their promises.

4. Value Addition, Not Just Extraction: Building on his minerals speech, Shettima will argue that Africa's critical minerals - lithium, cobalt, gold - must power African factories first.

What to Watch For?

1. Thursday, Sept 24: Watch the live stream of Nigeria's national statement. That is the headline moment.

2. On the Sidelines: Shettima is scheduled for a flurry of high-level and bilateral meetings. These closed-door chats are where deals on investment, security cooperation and debt are actually struck.

3. After UNGA: The real test is follow-through. Will the speeches turn into concrete partnerships at Nigeria House and Aso Rock?

We will be tracking every development for you.

Stay with cbinews.tv for live updates from UNGA 81.

Credit: cbinews.tv

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