Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the multilateral trading system, with Vice President Kashim Shettima stressing that no country can achieve sustainable prosperity in isolation from the global community.
Shettima stated this on Saturday during a meeting with WTO Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on the sidelines of the ongoing BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.
The Vice President assured the WTO chief that Nigeria would continue to support the organisation’s efforts to strengthen multilateralism and promote a global system founded on cooperation rather than isolation.
“I believe the world is greater than one nation. We will continue to support the WTO in championing the cause of multilateralism. We are essentially one human family and interconnected. You cannot divorce yourself from the global community,” Shettima said.
He also highlighted the importance of migration to development, innovation and economic growth, noting that immigrants have historically played significant roles in building cities and nations around the world.
“Nations are built by immigrants. Even cities are built by people who came from outside, not just by the locals. That goes to show that we have so much to gain from global migration,” he said.
Using the Nigerian diaspora as an example, Shettima praised Nigerians living abroad for distinguishing themselves through education, entrepreneurship and professional achievements.
He cited a recent Pew Research Center analysis of 2024 US Census Bureau data, which found that 67 per cent of Nigerian-born Black immigrants aged 25 and above in the United States had at least a bachelor’s degree, reportedly the highest proportion among the major Black immigrant groups examined.
Shettima also commended Okonjo-Iweala for her leadership of the WTO, urging her to continue using her experience and expertise to advance global development.
“You are doing a very wonderful job at the WTO, but you still have a lot to contribute to humanity,” the Vice President told her.
Okonjo-Iweala, who is the first woman and first African to lead the WTO, began her second four-year term as Director-General in September 2025.
Meanwhile, Shettima is expected to present Nigeria’s partnership and foreign investment opportunities to BRICS leaders at the summit, which is being held under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The Vice President is also expected to outline the objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly efforts to create sustainable opportunities through economic reforms, infrastructure expansion and private-sector-led growth.
He will further advocate a more inclusive international order and stronger economic partnerships between Nigeria and BRICS member and partner countries.
