Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has held a bilateral meeting with United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The discussion, confirmed in a post by Shettima’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, on X, focused on deepening cooperation between Nigeria and the UN across a range of shared priorities, including economic development, peace and security, climate action, social progress, and humanitarian response in Africa.
Shettima and Guterres reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic partnership, agreeing that closer collaboration can better support regional stability and sustainable development goals.
Guterres acknowledged Nigeria’s efforts to grow its economy amid global challenges and highlighted the country’s potential to emerge as a key global player from Africa. He also commended Nigeria’s role in promoting peace in the Sahel region, noting the government’s contributions to regional security initiatives despite ongoing threats from armed groups.
The leaders discussed the broader context of the AU summit, which brings together African leaders to address issues such as food security, economic integration, climate resilience, and conflict resolution. They underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation in tackling cross‑border challenges like displacement, health emergencies, and economic inequality.
Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing reforms to strengthen governance, attract investment, and support youth empowerment, saying such efforts align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Both leaders agreed to maintain regular engagement and explore joint programmes that can accelerate progress in key sectors, including education, public health, and renewable energy.
