At the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima made a strong appeal to world leaders, urging them to prioritize debt relief for Nigeria and other developing nations. Shettima emphasized that the heavy debt burden faced by countries in the Global South impedes their ability to achieve meaningful economic development and meet the needs of their citizens.
He also highlighted broader global challenges such as poverty, inequality, terrorism, and climate change, calling for stronger international cooperation. Additionally, Shettima advocated for the return of illicit financial flows to their countries of origin, arguing that these assets are critical to national development.His plea aligns with Nigeria’s broader push for economic reforms and greater global equity in trade and investment policies.