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Vice President Kashim Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima has asserted that Nigeria will drive Africa’s growth by harnessing the potential of its youth, prioritising education, and advancing smart agriculture.
Shettima emphasised that these strategies are vital for addressing both global and domestic challenges, with African youths playing a central role in this transformation.
Speaking at the Financial Times Global Risk Roundtable during the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he noted that while crises are abundant, they also create opportunities for nations to rebuild stronger.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, titled ‘Nigeria Will Lead Africa’s Growth With Education, Innovation in Agric – VP Shettima,’ excerpts of the meeting were shared.
He stated, “The word for crisis in Chinese is Wei Ji. Wei stands for danger, while Ji represents opportunity.
“Yes, we have challenges, but those challenges are pregnant with opportunities to re-engineer our society and build back better.”
The Vice President reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to innovation and empowerment through education, gender-focused initiatives, and smart agriculture to propel the economy into the fourth industrial revolution.
“The crisis has given us a unique opportunity to invest in people, especially in areas that will enable us to leapfrog our economies into global competitiveness,” Shettima said.
He dismissed reliance on foreign aid, advocating instead for equal partnerships that uphold dignity and self-reliance.
“I don’t believe in aid; I believe in partnership. I’d rather carry my poverty with dignity and engage with people, nations, and companies on equal terms, not in a master-servant relationship. I didn’t come with a begging bowl,” he declared.
Expressing optimism about Africa’s prospects, Shettima highlighted the continent’s abundant resources and its strategic importance to global growth. He said, “Africa is the richest continent in the world and the trajectory of global growth points towards it. Nigeria will either make or break that transition. The youths of Africa are the drivers of change.”
Shettima also addressed global crises, including conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Sudan, noting their effects on supply chains, humanitarian challenges, and peace.
He called for multilateral collaboration, stressing that the interconnected nature of global challenges requires collective solutions.
“There is an incestuous relationship between economy and ecology on the African continent. But hope springs eternal in the hearts of men.
“As members of the same human family, we can find solutions to our challenges. We must look inward to solve our problems, but multilateralism is key.
“These challenges are global, and we must fuse into one human family to overcome them,” he added.
The Vice President is attending the Davos forum alongside world leaders, top business executives, and development partners to discuss the global economy and explore pathways for improvement.
His schedule includes a workshop titled ‘Roadmap to Co-create Investment Opportunities for Africa’s Frontier Markets,’ organised by the African Development Bank in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. The workshop aims to attract investment into Africa’s frontier markets to build a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient continent.
Shettima is also slated to attend a dinner for heads of state, government officials, and international organisations, as well as the 2025 Crystal Awardees, the International Business Council, and Strategic Partners at Kurpark Village, Eiger.
Additionally, he will co-chair a forum on ‘Turning Digital Trade into a Catalyst for Growth in Africa’ at the Pischa Congress Centre.
Accompanying him are the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Aisha Rimi, and other top government officials.
The Vice President is expected to return to Abuja after his engagements in Davos.
