Nigeria will support a candidate for the next United Nations secretary-general based on “equity, justice and fairness,” Vice-President Kashim Shettima has assured Costa Rican contender Rebeca Grynspan.
Shettima made the commitment during a meeting with Grynspan shortly before returning to Nigeria, saying Abuja would also consider a candidate’s support for Africa’s aspirations, multilateralism and reform of global institutions.
He said Nigeria’s relationship with Costa Rica and Latin America, as well as the importance of gender inclusion, would inform its position on Grynspan’s candidature.
“Beyond our historical ties and relations rest our interest in conflict prevention, multilateralism and the peace of our nations,” Shettima said.
The vice-president also called for reforms to the global governance system, arguing that the structure created in 1945 no longer reflects today’s realities—particularly Africa’s population of more than 1.3 billion people and its growing role in international affairs.
Grynspan, who is seeking Nigeria’s backing, said her campaign would focus on the concerns of countries in the Global South. She pledged to prioritise peace and support Africa’s ambition to secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
“I represent the interest and demands of the region. I have a soft spot for Africa,” she said.
In a separate meeting in New York, Shettima and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands agreed to deepen cooperation on financial inclusion in Nigeria, with a focus on women and vulnerable groups.
The Netherlands will share expertise in financial health, insurance, credit guarantees and data generation to support Nigeria’s programmes.
Shettima said financial inclusion was closely linked to education, security and poverty reduction. He cited conditional cash transfers, agricultural schemes and the growth of Nigerian fintech companies as key parts of the government’s strategy.
Defending President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, the vice-president said they were necessary because of the condition of the economy when the administration took office in 2023.
Queen Máxima, who serves as the UN secretary-general’s Special Advocate for Financial Health, commended Nigeria’s economic progress and pledged continued Dutch support for efforts to strengthen citizens’ financial resilience and protect their investments.