Nigeria will leverage diaspora expertise for national development, says VP Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria will continue to leverage the expertise of Nigerians in the diaspora, describing the community as a major resource for the country’s future.

Shettima stated this during a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in the United States on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the development public in a statement on Monday.

The meeting, organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and hosted at Nigeria House, New York, provided an opportunity for the Vice President to interact with Nigerians residing in the United States.

Shettima assured the diaspora community that their knowledge, expertise and networks remained valuable to Nigeria’s development.

“What unites us, as Nigerians, is far greater than what divides us,” the Vice President said.

Shettima returned to Nigeria on Monday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 81st UNGA in New York. He had departed Abuja on September 20 after Tinubu mandated him to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual global gathering.

During the visit, Shettima delivered Nigeria’s national statement at the General Debate, where the country renewed its call for reform of the United Nations Security Council, including permanent African representation.

He also participated in high-level engagements on development financing, Africa’s mineral resources, education, regional integration and international cooperation, as well as meetings with the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States Commission and UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed.

The meeting with Nigerians in the United States formed part of Shettima’s engagements during the UNGA, where he highlighted the importance of diaspora investment, expertise and networks to national development.