Shettima in New York for UNGA 81, Nigeria’s Address billed for Thursday

All eyes on Thursday: Shettima to speak for Nigeria at UNGA 81

NEW YORK — Vice President Kashim Shettima has joined presidents, prime ministers and monarchs from across the globe in New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, with Nigeria’s national statement scheduled for delivery on Thursday.

ValidViewNetwork can confirm that this year’s gathering, running through September 28 at the UN headquarters, has already been dominated by high drama, with US President Donald Trump using Tuesday’s opening to deliver a combative address focused heavily on the ongoing Middle East conflict and America’s rivalry with China over artificial intelligence.

A stage Nigeria has used consistently

Nigeria has leaned on the annual UNGA platform in recent years to press its case for a permanent African seat on the UN Security Council, alongside pushing global tax reform and climate financing commitments.

VP Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, is expected to continue that advocacy when he takes the podium.

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A gathering overshadowed by Iran and AI

Findings by ValidViewNetwork show that this year’s General Debate has been unusually tense, with the Iranian delegation walking out of Trump’s speech and world leaders publicly split over how to regulate fast-advancing artificial intelligence systems.

Nigeria’s own delegation, including Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Ojukwu, is expected to weigh in on both fronts, given the country’s stated interest in shaping global AI governance and multilateral reform.

What to watch on Thursday

ValidViewNetwork gathered that beyond the national statement, Shettima’s schedule is expected to include bilateral meetings and side events touching on trade, security and development financing, continuing a pattern of engagement Nigeria has maintained at the last several sessions of the Assembly. ValidViewNetwork reports.