VP Shettima in Davos: ‘I’d Rather Embrace Poverty with Dignity than Seek Foreign Aid

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has said there is the need for Africa to look inward for solutions to its challenges, rather than relying heavily on foreign assistance.

“I don’t believe in aid; I believe in partnership. I’d rather carry my poverty with dignity and deal with people, nations, and companies on a pedestal of equality, not in a master-servant relationship. I didn’t come with a begging bowl,” he said.

Shettima spoke at the Financial Times Global Risk Roundtable at the ongoing 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The vice president acknowledged the impact of global crises, including conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Sudan, 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 in 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,” Shettima added.

He, however, expressed optimism about the country’s potential to lead Africa’s growth through investments in education, innovation in agriculture, and empowerment of its youth.

Shettima noted the importance of harnessing the potential of African youths, who he described as the drivers of global change.

“The word for crisis in Chinese is ‘Wei Ji’. Wei stands for danger, while Ji stands for opportunity.

“Yes, we have challenges, but those challenges are pregnant with opportunities to re-engineer our society and build back better,” Shettima said.

He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to embracing innovation and empowerment, particularly through education, gender-focused initiatives, and smart agriculture, to propel its economy into the fourth post-industrial revolution.