Vice President Kashim Shettima has asked his friends, associates and well-wishers to avoid organising public celebrations or placing congratulatory advertisements as he prepares to mark his 60th birthday.
Shettima will turn 60 on September 2, 2026.
The Vice President made the request in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.
The statement, titled “60th Birthday: VP Shettima Opts For Low-Key Celebration,” was dated August 29 and signed by Nkwocha.
Shettima said he had decided to keep the milestone low-key, explaining that public attention should remain focused on the country’s 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,” he said.
Rather than organising events or publishing birthday messages in his honour, Shettima urged his well-wishers to direct their goodwill towards prayers for Nigeria and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He specifically requested prayers for “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.”
The Vice President said the decision was informed by his belief that the occasion should be used to reflect on the country’s progress and renew commitment to its development.
“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.
Shettima’s appeal means friends, associates and political supporters who might ordinarily mark the birthday with newspaper adverts, broadcast messages or public gatherings have been asked to refrain from doing so.