Vice President Kashim Shettima asks friends and associates to avoid congratulatory adverts and gatherings, urging prayers for Nigeria instead

Vice President Kashim Shettima will mark his 60th birthday quietly on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, asking friends, associates and well-wishers to forgo public celebrations, congratulatory gatherings and birthday advertisements.

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Shettima made the appeal on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.

The decision to keep his Shettima 60th birthday low-key, according to the Vice President, reflects his belief that public attention should remain focused on national development rather than personal milestones.

“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 said.

Rather than spend money on elaborate events or newspaper and online advertisements, the Vice President urged those wishing him well to channel their goodwill into prayers for Nigeria and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He specifically requested prayers for the success of the administration’s economic reforms, lasting solutions to insecurity, greater national unity, and the peace and prosperity of Nigerians.

“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,” the statement said.

The appeal comes as Shettima prepares to reach the milestone after more than three decades of public service, spanning his career in academia, banking, state government and national politics.

Born on September 2, 1966, in Maiduguri, Borno State, Shettima served as Governor of Borno State from 2011 to 2019 before becoming Vice President in 2023.

His decision to discourage public festivities places the emphasis on service, reflection and national responsibility, rather than the ceremonial trappings often associated with major birthdays of senior public officials.

Shettima said the occasion should instead provide an opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s progress and renew the collective commitment to building a more peaceful and prosperous country.

The Vice President’s office has therefore asked friends, associates and supporters to respect his wishes by avoiding public birthday celebrations and congratulatory advertorials as he turns 60.

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The message, contained in a statement titled “60th Birthday: VP Shettima Opts For Low-Key Celebration”, was signed by Nkwocha and dated August 29, 2026.