Shettima: Nigeria Will Consider Africa’s Interests in UN Secretary-General Race

Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan that Nigeria will approach the contest for the next United Nations Secretary-General with consideration for equity, justice, fairness and Africa’s interests.

Shettima gave the assurance during a meeting with Grynspan in New York, where the Costa Rican candidate was seeking Nigeria’s support for her bid to become the next UN Secretary-General, according to a statement issued by the Office of the Vice President on Monday.

The Vice President said Nigeria would support a candidate who recognises Africa’s aspirations in global affairs, including the continent’s demand for greater representation in key international decision-making institutions.

He also cited Nigeria’s relationship with Latin America, its commitment to multilateralism and conflict prevention, as well as gender inclusion, among factors that would inform the country’s consideration of candidates.

Grynspan, who previously served as UN Deputy Secretary-General and as Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, is seeking to become the first woman to lead the United Nations.

During the meeting, she said her campaign was focused on reforms that many countries, particularly those in the Global South, have been advocating.

Grynspan also highlighted her understanding of Africa and said she would support the continent’s aspirations, including its longstanding campaign for permanent representation on the UN Security Council.

She said peace would be central to her proposed agenda if elected to the UN’s top diplomatic position.

Shettima, meanwhile, said the international governance system established after the Second World War had not adequately reflected the demographic and political changes that have taken place since 1945.

He specifically pointed to Africa’s population, which is now more than 1.3 billion people, and argued that the continent should have a stronger voice in global decision-making.

The meeting forms part of diplomatic engagements surrounding the forthcoming selection of a successor to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term ends in 2026.

Nigeria, Netherlands discuss financial inclusion

In a separate meeting in New York, Shettima also held bilateral talks with Queen Máxima of the Netherlands on strengthening cooperation in financial inclusion and financial health in Nigeria.

Queen Máxima serves as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development and has been involved in international efforts to expand access to financial services.

According to the State House, the Netherlands is prepared to share expertise and experience with Nigeria in areas including insurance, credit guarantees and data generation to strengthen financial inclusion programmes.

Shettima said the support would be particularly important for women and vulnerable groups, adding that financial inclusion was linked to broader issues such as education, security and poverty reduction.

The Vice President cited government programmes including conditional cash transfers and agricultural-sector initiatives as part of efforts to expand economic opportunities and access to financial services.

He also highlighted the role of Nigerian fintech companies in extending financial services to people who remain outside the formal financial system.

Shettima used the meeting to defend economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying they were necessary because of the economic conditions inherited by the government when it assumed office in 2023.

Queen Máxima, according to the State House statement, acknowledged what she described as strong growth in Nigeria’s economy and commended efforts aimed at improving financial inclusion.

She pledged continued cooperation between the Netherlands and Nigeria, particularly through the sharing of expertise in insurance, credit guarantees and the generation of data needed to improve financial health.

The Queen also stressed the importance of businesses treating the financial wellbeing of their customers as an important factor in their long-term sustainability.

Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele, who also participated in the discussions, said existing policies on insurance and pensions, alongside recent measures announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria, could help improve access to credit and reduce its cost.

He said the administration was continuing to pursue financial inclusion as part of efforts to improve economic opportunities for poorer Nigerians.