Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly those in the United States, to throw their weight behind the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and key into the Renewed Hope Agenda designed to revamp Nigeria’s economy.
Zilla Naija News gathered that Shettima made the appeal on Wednesday during an interactive meeting with the Nigerian community at the Nigeria House in New York, held on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 2026).
The high-profile session, which attracted hundreds of Nigerians from across the US, was put together and coordinated by the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
According to Zilla Naija News, the impressive turnout was made possible by the effective mobilization led by Chief Emeka Molokwu, Chairman of Renewed Hope USA (RHU), who rallied Nigerians from different states to meet with the Vice President and other members of the Nigerian delegation. Hon. Fola Olumo, Deputy Chairman, South of RHU, was also lauded for her supportive role.
Alake Details Reforms, Earns Standing Ovation
Delivering his presentation at the UNGA 81 diaspora side event, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Chief Dele Alake, gave a comprehensive account of the Tinubu administration’s achievements.
Alake’s breakdown of ongoing reforms, economic recovery efforts, revival of the mining sector and emerging investment opportunities under President Tinubu received a standing ovation from the audience, Zilla Naija News reports.
Bianca Ojukwu Assures On Diaspora Welfare
Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, also addressed the gathering, speaking extensively on diaspora-related concerns. She highlighted measures being put in place by her ministry to improve the welfare of Nigerians abroad, including enhanced consular services and stronger protection of diaspora interests.
Shettima, in his remarks, described the diaspora as Nigeria’s “greatest resource of the future,” noting that the Tinubu government is determined to tap into their intellect and capacity.
“When President Tinubu assumed office, he did not resort to trading blames and accusing his predecessor for the state of affairs of our nation. Rather, he took decisions that only a leader of courage and conviction would take,” Shettima told Zilla Naija News.
The Vice President disclosed that the administration’s bold reforms are already paying off, pointing to the growth of the nation’s foreign reserves from $3.9 billion to over $55 billion and positive growth recorded in the last quarter.
Molokwu Challenges APC Governors To Showcase Achievements
In a related development, Zilla Naija News learnt that Chief Molokwu had earlier at a strategic meeting in New Jersey charged progressive governors to document and publicize their achievements as a way of supporting President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the New York event, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa appreciated Vice President Shettima for the direct engagement with the diaspora and restated NIDCOM’s commitment to inclusive national development.
The event was attended by Governors Babagana Zulum, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, Siminalayi Fubara and Dauda Lawal; Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; Ministers of Education, Women Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs and other top government officials.
