Nigeria went into the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA with an ambitious agenda.

Speaking on behalf of the country on Wednesday, Vice-President Kashim Shettima outlined demands that touch on everything from global governance to economic opportunity.

Prior to the debate, Nigeria would press for representation in the UN security council, global finance architecture changes, and address the Palestinian statehood debate.

The Vice President pushed for those reforms, stressing that they were crucial to Africa’s future and the balance of international order.

DAILY POST highlights major takeaways from Shetimma’s speech.

DEMAND FOR UN COUNCIL SEAT

Shettima started his speech by criticising what he described as the “slow pace of progress” at the UN.

He explained that the troubling signs had forced nations to dismiss the fairness of the multilateral institution and charged the global body to make changes that work.

One of the changes, Shettima argued, is Nigeria’s permanent representation at the UN security council.

“A stabilising force in regional security and a consistent partner in global peacekeeping, our case for permanent seat at the Security Council is a demand for fairness, for representation, and for reform that restores credibility to the very institution upon which the hope of multilateralism rests.

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“We are despised by terrorists because we choose tolerance over tyranny. Their ambition is to divide us and to poison our humanity with a toxic rhetoric of hate,” he said.

FAIRNESS IN MINERAL MINING

The Vice president frowned at the exploitative mining on the continent, lamenting that they leave African nations impoverished.

Shettima agreed that international investments offer a way out of decay but noted that African countries must also benefit from the process.

“We know in Nigeria, that we are more stable when those communities that have access to key resources are able to benefit from those resources. This has been our journey in the oil producing region of the Niger Delta,” he said.

“I believe that we will strengthen the international order, when those countries that produce strategic minerals benefit fairly from those minerals — in terms of investment, partnership, local processing and jobs,” he said.

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

Shettima also made the case for Africa’s inclusion in technological advancements to bridge the digital divide through the creation of a “dedicated initiative” that would bring researchers, private sector, governments and communities together.

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He said, “As we stand on the threshold of new and dramatic technological change, we are still absorbing the impact of the revolution in information and communication of the past 20 years.

“We understand better than we did, the opportunities technology offers as well as the safeguards we need to enable growth and mitigate the potential for corrosion. Some worry about fake news. We have plenty of that, with the potential of devastating real-world consequences in countries rich and poor.”

ESTABLISHMENT OF GLOBAL FINANCE COURT

The second demand was a call for measures that would oversee the restructuring of the global finance architecture.

Shettima said the increasingly difficult security outlook in the world has prompted many countries to count the cost of the emerging world order.

“We in Nigeria are already familiar with such difficult choices: infrastructure renewal or defence platforms? schools or tanks.

“We can take that progress to the next level, a level that presents new opportunities for trade, investment and profit, if we can access reforms to strengthen the international financial architecture,” he added.

CLIMATE CHANGE NOT AN ABSTRACT ISSUE

Shettima took a different position from US President Donald Trump who called climate change the “greatest con job” of all time.

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The vice-president asked the UN to re-examine the best use of its scarce resources by addressing climate change.

“It is not an abstract issue about an indeterminate fate, to be settled at some distant point in the future,” he said.

CONDEMNATION OF ISRAEL, SUPPORT FOR PALESTINE

Nigeria has long recognised Palestine as a state since 1988. But at UNGA, Shettima joined the clarion call for a two-state solution.

He condemned Israel’s war in Gaza, saying the tensions scar the wider region.

“We do not believe that the sanctity of human life should be trapped in the corridors of endless debate. That is why we say, without stuttering and without doubt, that a two-state solution remains the most dignified path to lasting peace for the people of Palestine.

“The people of Palestine are not collateral damage in a civilisation searching for order. They are human beings, equal in worth, entitled to the same freedoms and dignities that the rest of us take for granted,” he stated.

The Governing Council of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, has announced the appointment of Prof. Ebunoluwa Oduwole as the new Vice-Chancellor of the university.

This was contained in a statement issued by the university and made available to The PUNCH on Thursday.

In the statement, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Adebayo, was hailed as an exceptional and distinguished administrator, “whose leadership over the past five years elevated the institution to new heights.”

Adebayo’s tenure as ACU VC comes to an end at the end of this month.

Speaking during a ceremony held to celebrate Prof Adebayo after the University’s Governing Council meeting on Wednesday, Chairman of the council and Pro Chancellor of the University, Dr Olutoyin Okeowo, said that the external auditor’s report submitted to the council indicated ‘tremendous’ growth while also unveiling Prof Ebunoluwa Oduwole as the incoming Vice-Chancellor.

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Okeowo said, “Between the period that Prof Adebayo became the Vice-Chancellor in 2020 and now, this University has witnessed tremendous growth. I must say that this growth is being recorded at a time that the nation is going through a challenging economy.

“Those in economic management and finance expert will understand this; if you look at the micro economic indices of the country in the past five years, you would see that it has been quite challenging. Most institutions that are not well managed or do not have someone that is very creative and disciplined at the helms of affairs are not likely to stand the economic storm we have had in this country.

“But Prof Adebayo has been able to ensure yearly growth of this University. I want o say this is highly commendable. On behalf of Anglicans in the Supra West, I want to say thank you.”

The Pro-Chancellor expressed appreciation for the support of the University’s management, principal officers and all staff in ensuring the success of Prof. Adebayo’s tenure, noting that the council recognises their contributions and remains grateful to everyone.

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Okeowo continued, “In our meeting today, it was made clear that a tree does not make a forest. Prof Adebayo has achieved so much simply because he has a team; dedicated team, principal officers and members of the University’s staff. You all contributed to his success in the past five years, so on behalf of all Anglicans in the Supra West, I want to say thank you to you all. It is a team work that worked so well”

The council chairman restated the goal of the council to develop the University and elevate its ranking among the best institutions in the world.

“When we came on board, we had a clear goal and objective that this University must be ranked among the best 1000 Universities in the world. That is still our objective and I have the assurance that you can still deliver on that,” he said

Okeowo also introduced Prof Adebayo’s successor, Prof Ebunoluwa Oduwole, calling for the cooperation of all staff to ensure that she also records a successful tenure in office.

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“Let me also use this opportunity to welcome the incoming Vice Chancellor, Prof, Mrs Ebunoluwa Oduwole. She is making history as the first female Vice-Chancellor of this University. I am sure that you will give her the best cooperation so that she will excel in all ramifications. Support he also with your prayers,” said Okeowo.

While praising the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Archbishop of Ibadan Province, The Most Rev’d Willliams Aladekugbe, who is also a member of the governing council, said it was not a mistake that Prof. Adebayo was chosen five years ago to lead the University.

“The choice of Adebayo was not a mistake but a blessing. Under his watch, the University has recorded several achievements in academic and infrastructural developments. It means God was with us while making the choice,” said Aladekugbe.

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The outgoing VC Adebayo had, on June 20, 2025, lauded the Mind Education programme, which has been integrated into the university’s curriculum, as a “highly impactful initiative” that is already yielding significant positive outcomes for its students.

Speaking after a three-day Mind Education Camp, spearheaded by the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Ronke Ogunmakin, and supported by a team of Mind Educators from South Korea, Adebayo highlighted the programme’s global reach and proven track record.

President Bola Tinubu has moved to restart oil production in Ogoniland in Rivers State.

The president disclosed this on Wednesday when he conferred posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, on the late Ogoni four; Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage.

Conferring the honours at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu urged the Ogoni people to embrace reconciliation and unity after decades of division.

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He assured them of his administration’s support for peace, environmental remediation, and economic revival in the land.

“I am encouraged by the overwhelming consensus of the Ogoni communities to welcome the resumption of oil production.

“The government will deploy every resource to support your people in this march towards shared prosperity,” he said.

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The president directed the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to begin engagements between Ogoni communities, NNPCL, and other stakeholders to finalise modalities for restarting operations.

Earlier in his report, the NSA stated that the consultations engaged all four Ogoni zones and the diaspora, capturing demands for structured participation in oil production, accelerated cleanup, and sustainable development.