Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria will support candidates seeking to become the next United Nations Secretary-General based on principles of equity, justice and fairness.

Shettima made the position known during a meeting with Costa Rican candidate for the UN Secretary-General position, Rebeca Grynspan, shortly before departing New York for Nigeria.

According to a statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President said Nigeria would also consider candidates who support Africa’s aspirations in global affairs, particularly its push for greater representation in key international decision-making bodies.

Shettima said Nigeria’s decision would be influenced by its relationship with Latin America, gender inclusion, conflict prevention and the promotion of multilateralism.

“Thank you for seeking Nigeria’s perspective for your candidature of the United Nations Secretary-General,” Shettima said.

He also called for reforms to the global governance system, noting that the international architecture established in 1945 has changed considerably but has yet to adequately reflect Africa’s integration and its population of more than 1.3 billion people.

Grynspan, who met with Shettima to seek Nigeria’s support, said she was committed to implementing reforms advocated by countries across the Global South.

She said her background in the Global South gave her an understanding of the region’s interests and aspirations, adding that she had a particular interest in Africa.

Grynspan also said her agenda would prioritise peace and pledged to support Africa’s ambition for permanent representation on the UN Security Council.

Nigeria, Netherlands deepen financial inclusion talks

Meanwhile, Nigeria and the Netherlands have agreed to strengthen cooperation on financial inclusion.

The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting between Shettima and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands in New York.

The Netherlands is expected to share expertise in financial health to support Nigeria’s financial inclusion programmes, particularly initiatives targeting women and vulnerable groups.

Shettima said financial inclusion was closely linked to education, security and poverty reduction. He cited conditional cash transfers and agricultural programmes among government initiatives aimed at expanding access to financial services.

Queen Máxima, who serves as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health, welcomed Nigeria’s efforts and pledged Dutch support through expertise in areas including insurance, credit guarantees and data generation.