Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria will be guided by equity, justice and fairness in considering candidates for the position of United Nations Secretary-General.
Shettima made the statement on September 28, 2026, during a meeting in New York with Rebeca Grynspan, the Costa Rican candidate for the UN Secretary-General position, shortly before the Vice President departed the United States following engagements at the 81st UN General Assembly.
According to a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Shettima said Nigeria would support a candidate whose agenda reflects Africa’s interests in global affairs, including greater representation in key international decision-making institutions and the strengthening of multilateralism.
Shettima told Grynspan that Nigeria and Costa Rica share historical links between their regions and said Nigeria also values its relationship with Latin America. He identified conflict prevention, multilateralism and global peace as considerations in Nigeria’s engagement with the candidates.
The Vice President said he would recommend Grynspan’s candidacy based on factors including Nigeria’s relationship with Latin America and gender inclusion. His remarks did not amount to an announcement that Nigeria had formally concluded the wider selection process in favour of a candidate.
Grynspan, who was seeking Nigeria’s perspective and support for her candidature, said she wanted to lead the UN in implementing reforms being advocated by countries, particularly those in the Global South.
She also expressed support for Africa’s aspirations in the international system, including the continent’s campaign for permanent representation on the UN Security Council.
Shettima also called for reform of the global governance architecture, arguing that the international system has changed considerably since the UN was established in 1945 but has not adequately reflected Africa’s demographic and political weight.
The UN’s official selection process for its next Secretary-General began formally in November 2025. The President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council are coordinating the process, while the UN maintains a public list of submitted candidates and their nomination documents.
Nigeria’s position on the selection comes after Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the 81st UN General Assembly, where Nigeria also reiterated its longstanding call for permanent representation on the UN Security Council.