Nigeria's Vice President Shettima Requests Low-Key 60th Birthday, Urges Focus on National Development

Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima has appealed for a subdued 60th birthday celebration on September 2, 2026, requesting that friends, associates, and well-wishers refrain from organizing public events or placing congratulatory advertisements. The appeal was made in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.

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To ensure absolute propriety, I respectfully appeal that there should be no public birthday celebrations, congratulatory gatherings or goodwill advertorials across print, broadcast and digital media platforms.

Shettima explained that his decision to keep the milestone low-key stems from a conviction that public attention should remain concentrated on the critical work of national development rather than personal celebrations. "To ensure absolute propriety, I respectfully appeal that there should be no public birthday celebrations, congratulatory gatherings or goodwill advertorials across print, broadcast and digital media platforms," the statement read.

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public attention should remain focused on the serious work of national development rather than on personal celebrations.

Instead of elaborate events or paid advertisements, the Vice President encouraged his well-wishers to direct their goodwill towards offering prayers for Nigeria and the administration led by President Bola Tinubu. Specifically, he called for prayers supporting the success of the government's economic reforms, finding lasting solutions to the nation's security challenges, fostering greater national unity, and ensuring the peace and prosperity of all Nigerians.

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the success of the administration’s economic reforms, lasting solutions to the nation’s security challenges, greater national unity, and the peace and prosperity of all Nigerians.

According to Shettima, his birthday should serve as a moment for reflection on the country's progress and a recommitment to its development. The statement, titled "60th Birthday: VP Shettima Opts For Low-Key Celebration," underscored that the occasion should be less about celebrating a personal milestone and more about "reflection, gratitude and renewed commitment to the service of the country."

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For VP Shettima, the occasion should serve less as a celebration of a personal milestone and more as an opportunity for reflection, gratitude and renewed commitment to the service of the country.