Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where the country is seeking greater influence in global decision-making, improved access to development finance and stronger international partnerships on education, climate, technology and security.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not attending the gathering and has mandated Shettima to represent him and lead the Nigerian delegation. Shettima is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement on Thursday, September 24.
But beyond the diplomatic appearances and bilateral meetings, what are Nigeria’s concrete priorities at this year’s UNGA?
1. A permanent seat on the UN Security Council
One of Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic demands is greater African representation in the United Nations Security Council.
Nigeria is expected to renew its campaign for permanent representation on the council, arguing that the structure of the UN’s most powerful decision-making body no longer reflects current global demographic and political realities.
The issue was also central to Shettima’s UNGA address last year. In his 2025 national statement, he said Nigeria should have a permanent seat as part of wider reforms of the UN system. He linked the demand to Nigeria’s population, peacekeeping record and role in regional security.
For Nigeria, the argument is therefore not simply for a Nigerian seat but for broader reform that gives Africa a permanent voice in the council.
2. More affordable international financing
Nigeria is also using the UNGA platform to press for changes in the international financial system.
Ahead of Shettima’s address, the Federal Government said its engagements would reinforce Nigeria’s position on reform of the international financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and technology access.
Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele separately called for cheaper and simpler access to capital for developing countries, arguing that high financing costs, currency risks and limited access to long-term funding continue to constrain African infrastructure and energy development.
The broader Nigerian request is for international financing arrangements that developing economies can access without facing the same financing costs and constraints associated with more advanced economies.
3. A $5 billion push for global education
Education financing has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most visible initiatives at UNGA 81.
Nigeria and Italy are co-hosting a campaign to mobilise $5 billion for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), which supports education programmes in developing countries.
At a high-level event in New York, Shettima said the proposed funding could support education for about 370 million children globally. Nigeria is presenting the initiative as a partnership rather than a request for external funding alone.
Shettima said Nigeria intends to combine domestic resources with development assistance, concessional finance, philanthropy and innovative financing. He also pointed to Nigeria’s HOPE-EDU programme, which is expected to reach about 29 million children and 500,000 teachers in the country.
Italy has pledged €50 million to GPE programmes, while other governments and donors have also announced contributions at the event.
4. Better terms for Africa’s mineral resources
Nigeria is also asking for a different economic relationship between Africa and the rest of the world over critical minerals.
At the Africa Minerals Strategy Group meeting in New York, Shettima called for African countries to move away from simply exporting raw minerals and instead develop processing, manufacturing and value-added industries around the continent’s resources.
The argument is that mineral-producing countries should receive greater economic benefits through investment, local processing, industrialisation and job creation rather than primarily exporting unprocessed resources.
The issue is particularly significant as global demand for critical minerals grows because of the expansion of renewable energy, electric vehicles and other technologies.
5. Greater access to technology
Technology and the digital divide are another part of Nigeria’s international agenda.
The Federal Government says Nigeria wants greater access to technology for developing countries and stronger African participation in global decision-making on technological transformation.
The issue also featured prominently in Shettima’s 2025 UNGA address, when he called for initiatives involving governments, researchers, communities and the private sector to close the digital divide.
6. Climate finance and development
Nigeria is also seeking greater access to climate finance while stressing that African countries face significant development and energy-access challenges.
Oyedele told a UN dialogue on climate finance that African countries need simpler access to affordable capital and financing structures that take their development circumstances into account. He argued that high financing costs and currency risks make it difficult for African countries to fund infrastructure and energy projects.
Nigeria’s position reflects a broader argument from developing countries that climate financing should not come at the expense of economic development and access to energy.
7. Migration and legal pathways
Nigeria and the European Union have also used the UNGA week to revive discussions on migration cooperation.
Nigeria is seeking a more balanced migration framework that includes support for the reintegration of returnees, infrastructure assistance and expanded legal pathways for Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad.
The EU, meanwhile, wants progress on the long-pending Nigeria-EU Readmission Agreement, which has been under discussion since 2016. Both sides also discussed cooperation against irregular migration and transnational organised crime.
So, what is Nigeria actually asking for?
Taken together, Nigeria’s UNGA agenda goes beyond a single request for aid.
The country is seeking political representation, access to affordable capital, education financing, technology partnerships, better terms for African natural resources, climate finance and expanded economic and migration opportunities.
At the diplomatic level, the central message is that Nigeria wants global institutions to give developing countries, particularly African states, a stronger voice in decisions affecting the international economy and security system.
Shettima himself said Nigeria’s engagement would be guided by national interest and multilateralism, while advocating institutions that are “more representative, equitable, and responsive” to contemporary realities.
The question now is not only what Nigeria asks for at the UN, but what concrete commitments, financing, diplomatic support and institutional changes will emerge from those requests.
With the UNGA General Debate running from September 22 to 28, Shettima’s national statement and Nigeria’s bilateral meetings are expected to provide a clearer indication of how far the government intends to take these priorities.