Vice President Kashim Shettima has visited President Bola Tinubu in Lagos after returning from New York, where he represented the President at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The visit came shortly after Shettima returned to Nigeria from the high level diplomatic engagements in New York. It also gave the Vice President an opportunity to meet Tinubu following the President’s return from his extended working vacation abroad.
Shettima later told journalists that he and Tinubu had remained in regular communication throughout the President’s time outside the country. According to him, advances in technology allowed both leaders to remain connected and continue discussing developments in Nigeria despite their physical distance.
Shettima Maintains Contact With Tinubu
Speaking after the meeting, Shettima said he was pleased that Tinubu had returned and resumed his activities in Nigeria.
More importantly, he explained that communication between the two leaders never stopped during the President’s absence.
According to Shettima, they spoke almost every other day, allowing him to provide updates on developments across the country while Tinubu remained abroad.
Consequently, the Vice President’s return from the UNGA and his subsequent meeting with Tinubu have brought the two leaders together again after weeks of separate official engagements.
The meeting also highlights the administration’s continued coordination as it manages domestic governance alongside Nigeria’s international commitments.
Representing Nigeria on the Global Stage
Before returning to Nigeria, Shettima led the country’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly after Tinubu mandated him to represent the President.
During the gathering, the Vice President delivered Nigeria’s national statement and presented the country’s positions on several international issues.
In particular, Nigeria renewed its call for reform of the United Nations Security Council, including permanent representation for Africa. The delegation also pushed for fairer global financing, stronger climate support and deeper international cooperation. (Voice of Nigeria)
Beyond the General Debate, Shettima participated in high level meetings covering development financing, education, climate action, regional integration and economic cooperation.
He also engaged with Nigerians living abroad, emphasising the importance of their expertise, investments and international networks to Nigeria’s development.
Meanwhile, his discussions with the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States and United Nations officials further expanded Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement during the assembly.
Economic Reforms Remain a Major Focus
After meeting Tinubu, Shettima also spoke about the economic direction of the administration.
He defended some of the major decisions taken by the Tinubu government, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange rates.
The Vice President argued that the government took those decisions against the backdrop of significant economic pressures.
However, while defending the reforms, Shettima acknowledged that Nigerians continue to experience economic hardship.
He therefore appealed for patience, saying the administration was working on measures designed to ease the pressure on households and businesses.
In this regard, the government has increasingly attempted to present its economic programme as a combination of structural reforms and targeted interventions.
Government Promises Measures to Ease Hardship
Shettima also pointed to additional initiatives that the government intends to introduce as it responds to the economic difficulties confronting citizens.
Among the measures he mentioned was an e logistics programme involving electric tricycles, buses and e taxis.
According to the Vice President, the planned programme will include 10,600 electric tricycles as well as 300 buses and e taxis.
Such interventions, he said, form part of the government’s broader effort to reduce transportation pressures and support economic activity.
Furthermore, the government continues to emphasise interventions aimed at vulnerable groups, students and other Nigerians affected by the rising cost of living.
Therefore, while the administration continues to defend its economic reforms, it also faces pressure to ensure that relief measures reach citizens in practical and measurable ways.
Tough Reforms, Tougher Economic Questions
The conversation around the economy remains particularly important because the government’s reforms have generated both support and criticism.
On one hand, the administration argues that removing the petrol subsidy and changing the foreign exchange system addressed longstanding structural problems.
On the other hand, Nigerians continue to contend with higher living costs and the effects of economic adjustment.
Consequently, the government faces the dual task of maintaining its reform programme while demonstrating how those policies can translate into improved living conditions.
Shettima acknowledged the difficult environment and urged Nigerians to remain patient as the administration implements additional measures.
He also stressed that difficult periods do not last indefinitely, signalling the government’s expectation that its policies will eventually produce broader economic benefits.
From UN Diplomacy to Domestic Governance
Shettima’s return also marks a shift from international diplomacy back to domestic governance.
At the United Nations, the Vice President focused on Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities, security concerns, development financing and Africa’s place in global institutions.
Now back in Nigeria, he must continue working with Tinubu on the domestic issues that directly affect citizens.
That transition is particularly significant because the administration faces several competing demands, including economic management, infrastructure development, security and social welfare.
At the same time, political activity continues to build ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Politics and Governance Continue Side by Side
Although the administration remains focused on governance, political preparations have also become increasingly visible.
Shettima acknowledged that politics is already in the air but said the government would continue combining political activities with its governing responsibilities.
That balance will become increasingly important as the country moves closer to the next election cycle.
Nevertheless, the immediate focus remains on governance and the implementation of government programmes.
For Tinubu and Shettima, maintaining coordination will therefore remain crucial as they navigate economic challenges while continuing to engage with domestic and international stakeholders.
Tinubu and Shettima Resume Joint Focus
The Lagos meeting ultimately brings the President and Vice President back together following a period in which both men handled separate international responsibilities.
Tinubu spent weeks abroad on a working vacation, while Shettima travelled to New York to represent Nigeria at the UN General Assembly. The State House had earlier confirmed that Tinubu continued directing affairs of government during his absence, while Shettima represented him at selected official engagements.
Now that both leaders have returned to Nigeria, attention will shift once again to the administration’s domestic agenda.
For Shettima, that means carrying forward the issues he raised on the international stage while helping implement the government’s economic and development programmes at home.
Ultimately, his visit to Tinubu was not simply a meeting following an overseas assignment. It also underscored the continued communication between Nigeria’s two highest political office holders as the administration confronts economic pressures, pursues reforms and prepares for another phase of domestic governance.
The challenge ahead remains clear: translating the government’s policy decisions and international commitments into tangible improvements for Nigerians while maintaining coordination at the highest level of government.
