VP Shettima: A Visionary and Detribalized Leader at the Helm of NEC By Mfon Udott
Power is often described as the possession of influence over a people or nation. But the value of power is measured not by its possession, but by how it is used. Some leaders wield it selfishly, serving themselves and their cronies. Others, rare and remarkable, see power as a responsibility—an opportunity to serve, empower, and unite.
In Africa, examples abound of the former. From Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to Cameroon’s Paul Biya and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, we see leaders who treat power as a family business and cling to office for decades. In Nigeria, politics too often resembles commerce, with offices distributed like personal property. Appointments are monopolized by family, clans, and regions, while merit takes a back seat.
Yet there are exceptions. One such is Senator Kashim Shettima, Nigeria’s Vice President. An agricultural economist, banker, and seasoned politician, Shettima has consistently demonstrated that leadership is about service, not self. His rise from commissioner to governor, senator, and now Vice President reflects not only competence but also vision, resilience, and inclusivity.
What distinguishes Shettima in today’s Nigeria is his detribalized approach. In a country where politics is often defined by regional loyalty, one would expect his appointees to be dominated by Kanuri and Northeastern names. Instead, his appointments reflect a mosaic of Nigeria’s diversity.
Of the 18 special advisers and senior special assistants appointed on his recommendation to help drive President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, many are from outside his region. They include Dr. Tope Kolade Fasua from the South-West (Special Adviser on Economic Matters), Temitola Adekunle-Johnson also from the South-West (Special Adviser on Job Creation and MSMEs), Kingsley Nkwocha from the South-East (SSA on Media and Communications), Peju Adebajo from the South-West (SSA on Investment and Privatisation), and Dr. Kingsley Uzoma from the South-East (SSA on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement). Even his Technical Assistant on Agriculture, Marion Moon, hails from Kenya.
To be sure, Northerners are also represented—Rukaiya El-Rufai from the North-West (Special Adviser on NEC & Climate Change), Aliyu Modibbo Umar and Bashir Maidugu from the North-East, among others. But the mix underscores Shettima’s conviction that leadership must embrace national integration, not sectional favoritism. His Chief Security Officer is Igbo, as are other senior aides. This inclusivity is not mere tokenism; it is a deliberate strategy to demonstrate that competence, not birthplace, is the currency of service.
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Before politics, Shettima honed his skills in banking—an environment that rewards foresight, precision, and discipline. These qualities shaped his governance style when he faced the monumental task of leading Borno State at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency. His calm resilience and pragmatic crisis management earned him respect. Today, those same qualities guide his role as Nigeria’s Vice President.
Shettima’s patriotism is not performative. His leadership is not built on slogans but on substance. He does not need to shout his loyalty to Nigeria; it is seen in his actions. His style is quiet, deliberate, and effective, proving that results—not rhetoric—define good leadership.
Nowhere is his steady influence more evident than in his chairmanship of the National Economic Council (NEC). Comprising the 36 governors, the FCT Minister, the Central Bank Governor, and key federal officials, NEC is Nigeria’s highest economic policy advisory body. It is where federal ambitions meet state-level realities, and consensus is painstakingly built. At its helm is Shettima, whose maturity and balance have helped ensure that debates remain focused, pragmatic, and inclusive.
Shettima was well-prepared for this responsibility. His financial background equips him with prudence; his experience as governor during security upheaval sharpened his crisis management skills. Today, as NEC chairman, he harmonizes diverse perspectives, aligning economic strategies to address pressing national needs. His leadership has become a steadying influence at a time when Nigeria faces daunting economic challenges.
President Tinubu acknowledged this when he congratulated his deputy on his 59th birthday, calling him a “brother, co-traveller, and partner in nation-building.” The President praised Shettima’s courage, tenacity, and belief in Nigeria’s greatness, adding, “Every day as Vice President, you have strengthened our work, brought fresh perspectives, and upheld our commitment to Nigerians. Your dedication reassures me that I did not make a mistake in choosing you.”
This acknowledgment reflects what many Nigerians have come to see: Shettima is not simply a deputy; he is a stabilizing force, a consensus builder, and a visionary. His inclusive appointments show his detribalized nature; his NEC leadership demonstrates his competence; his calm resilience marks him as a man of substance.
As Nigeria navigates economic turbulence and complex security challenges, Kashim Shettima stands out as a reminder that leadership is about more than position—it is about purpose. By choosing merit over tribalism, substance over noise, and integration over division, he has positioned himself as a leader not just for today but for the future.
Mfon Udott writes from Abuja
