Shaping Nigeria’s Future: Insights from an Evening with VP Kashim Shettima
In 2023, I participated in the Second Cohort of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) Fellowship Programme. As I have written previously, the fellowship programme was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of governance and leadership and reinvigorated my commitment to contributing to Nigeria’s development. One of my favourite memories from the fellowship was the enlightening session with Vice President Kashim Shettima GCON at the Presidential Villa.
My colleagues and I arrived at the Villa, eager to gain insights from this prominent leader whose vision for Nigeria promised to ignite our spirits. We settled into one of the conference rooms in his office, with its walls adorned with portraits of past leaders. The atmosphere carried the weight of history and the promise of the future. We were on the cusp of something transformative.
When the Vice President, Kashim Shettima GCON, entered the room, we felt his commanding yet warm presence. He did not go straight to his seat; instead, he went around, exchanged pleasantries and made small talk with each person — all 45 of us. As he went from one person to another, I saw a man who had mastered the art of small talk. I haven’t met anyone (yet) who could beat him at that.
He began his conversation with us by highlighting Nigeria’s potential and how everyone seated, himself included, had a role to play in our nation’s future. He was a great speaker, and we listened attentively. I even hoped he would not stop talking anytime soon.
VP Shettima did not shy away from acknowledging the numerous challenges we face as a nation but also beamed with optimism, confident that Nigeria and its present leadership had all it takes to surmount those challenges.
His exact words were, “Our country is going through some difficulties and challenges, but we will surmount them. We are going to cross the Rubicon. We are going to cross the Red Sea and take you to the land of opportunities and blessings.”
During the conversation, the Vice President applauded our unique skills and talents. His words felt like a gentle push urging us to harness our abilities for the greater good of our nation. It was more than words; it was a rallying cry that ignited a fire within me, stirring a newfound sense of purpose and commitment to our collective future.
What struck me most was his profound understanding of leadership. He painted an example of what it truly means to lead — not through physical might or superficial gestures but through intellect, innovation, and the ability to inspire others. This powerful lesson still echoes in my mind even now and will serve as a guiding principle for my aspirations in leadership.
I felt a deep camaraderie with my fellow cohort members while we listened intently to his insights. We were not just individuals with varying backgrounds and dreams; we were a collective force poised to shape Nigeria’s destiny. Each of us brought unique perspectives to the table, and in that moment, united by a common vision, we realised our shared responsibility. VP Shettima’s call to reject disillusionment felt like a rallying cry for a new generation ready to rise and confront the challenges ahead.
At the end of the session, the Vice President expressed a desire to take pictures with each person. Everyone smiled brightly (some even laughed) during their short conversation with him. When it was my turn, he read my name from the name tag on my neck. Turning to the Chief of Staff to the President and Founder of LMI, Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, he said, “Ayodeji from Ekiti, I hope he is not as troublesome as Governor Fayose”. I immediately burst into laughter, not minding what would happen to my ‘steeze’. I’m curious what he would’ve said if he knew Governor Fayose and I hail from the same Local Government and that my hometown (Iworoko Ekiti) was just a 15-minute drive away from that of (former) Governor Fayose (Afao Ekiti). I think it is best to say Governor Fayose owes me another picture with the Vice President. He is to blame for why my picture did not come out as I wanted.
That evening, I left the Presidential Villa with a heart full of hope and a mind buzzing with possibilities. I felt a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, and a new chapter had begun. That day with Vice President Shettima was more than just an engagement; it was a turning point in my journey. It reminded me that each of us has a crucial role in our nation’s narrative. As we strive to make Nigeria green on our home turf, I am determined to embrace my potential and actively contribute to the brighter future we now passionately envision. The words of the Vice President will remain etched in my memory, propelling me forward as I embark on this exciting path toward meaningful change.
