vice-President Shettima has firmly warned that if Nigeria fails, the entire black race has failed because Nigeria is being looked upon as a pacesetter.
Speaking during the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, 2025 graduation event at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, Shettima made the statement.
The Vice-President claims that Nigerians are confident no matter where they are in the world and that this confidence distinguishes them from people of other nationalities.
“If you see a Nigerian on the streets of London, you don’t need a soothsayer to tell you this is a Nigerian, because we walk with cocky arrogance,” Shettima said. “We don’t give way to a white man when we meet along the street.”
He emphasised that Nigeria occupies a central position in the global Black identity and warned that the country must not be allowed to fail under any circumstances.
“This country has to work. This is the greatest Black nation on Earth,” he said. “If Nigeria fails, the Black race has failed, and we cannot afford to fail because Nigeria is the hope of the Black race.”
Shettima went on to characterise Nigerians as geographically migratory and economically ambitious, emphasising that the nation’s diversity should be a source of strength rather than division.
“The hope of the Black man rests with Nigeria, because Nigeria is economically enterprising, geographically mobile and economically proficient,” he said. “What binds us together supersedes what divides us.”
Vice-President Shettima shared a personal story of receiving criticism for his appearance at a Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) event. He said that the incident made him reconsider his local attire, but he is still proud of Nigeria’s cultural identity outside.
Given its size, power, and human capital, he continued, Nigeria’s success was in the best interests of the Black community worldwide as well as the larger world.
“When I embarrassed myself at the NBA forum, I went and bought some good suits,” Shettima said. “But at international events, I come out in my native wear — babanriga.”
“So, it is in the best interest of the Black race and the best interest of the world for Nigeria to work,” he said.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
