Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has commended the national statement delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), describing it as both “forward-looking and deeply rooted in Africa’s realities.”
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Vice President’s address was lauded for balancing Nigeria’s national interests with its regional and global responsibilities, while reinforcing the country’s role as a leading voice for reform, equity, and inclusivity on the international stage.
Nigeria Calls for UN Reform and Global Fairness
Ambassador Tuggar emphasized that the UNGA address sent a powerful message to the global community:
“The statement was inspiring, but also sobering—it reminded the world that Africa, and particularly West Africa, is not just a recipient of global decisions but an active shaper of them,” he said.
He noted that the Vice President’s call for United Nations reform and equitable representation underlines Nigeria’s longstanding advocacy for a global system where Africa’s voice is respected and influential.
Peace and Security: Nigeria at the Forefront
The Foreign Minister praised the speech’s emphasis on shared responsibility for global peace, especially in conflict-prone regions such as the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.
“Nigeria and its ECOWAS partners continue to be on the frontline of efforts to stabilize the region,” Tuggar noted, adding that Nigeria’s leadership in peacekeeping operations reinforces its position as both a defender of peace at home and a guarantor of peace abroad.
Economic Diplomacy and Debt Justice Take Center Stage
Highlighting the economic dimensions of the UNGA speech, Tuggar applauded Nigeria’s call for:
- A new global financial architecture
- Debt justice for developing countries
- Local industrialization aligned with ECOWAS and AfCFTA goals
“Nigeria is insisting that our minerals, our agriculture, and our human capital must serve our people first. This is the essence of economic diplomacy, and it is central to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.
Tuggar also praised the statement’s practical approach to climate action and digital transformation, saying the solutions offered were people-centered, with direct benefits for women, youth, and vulnerable communities.
A Sub-Regional Call to Action
Concluding his remarks, the Foreign Minister said Nigeria’s statement at UNGA should be viewed as a sub-regional call to action, rooted in the shared interests of ECOWAS and the African Union.
“Nigeria has once again reminded the world that no country is safe until all are safe, and no region can prosper unless all its people are included,” Tuggar declared.
