Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima met UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York. Shettima advocated strongly for Nigeria’s permanent seat on the UN Security Council, emphasizing the nation’s readiness for global leadership.
Discussions spanned Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate action, African democracy, and enhanced UNDP partnerships. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar noted Guterres’ praise for Nigeria’s ambitions, highlighting the UN’s extensive presence in the country.
AI Breakthrough: Nigeria Leads Africa’s Digital Revolution
A standout topic was Nigeria’s tech strides, with Communications Minister Bosun Tijani revealing the launch of Africa’s first government-backed multilingual AI model.
Guterres lauded this innovation, urging Nigeria to guide other African nations in leveraging AI for inclusive growth.
Humanitarian Minister Yusuf Sununu detailed poverty alleviation efforts, including a massive social register aiding 18.9 million households and 8.1 million via cash transfers.
Despite funding cuts to programs like the World Food Programme (WFP), Guterres pledged UN support to bolster Nigeria’s initiatives.
Strengthening Ties: Bilateral Wins and Youth Empowerment
Earlier, Shettima conferred with UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, forging deeper cooperation in trade, economy, defense, and migration. At the Global Leadership Council, he reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on digital opportunities for youth and women’s empowerment.
As Africa’s powerhouse, Nigeria’s UNGA80 moves signal a bolder global role—watch for more breakthroughs in security, AI, and sustainability.
