Nice Men Should Sell Chocolates”: VP Shettima Defends Tough Economic Decisions, Rejects Country Comparisons

Vice President Kashim Shettima has once again stirred national conversation with his characteristically blunt rhetoric, asserting that national leadership is not a popularity contest meant for “nice men.”

Speaking on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, during his keynote address at the Niger Delta Agricultural Development and Investment Summit in Abuja, the Vice President defended the administration’s tough economic policies. He made it clear that taking decisive, sometimes painful actions is the only path toward true national development.

“Leadership means walking the talk. Leadership is about taking tough decisions. And leadership is not meant for nice men. Nice men should be selling chocolates, ice cream.” — Vice President, Kashim Shettima

“Numbers Count”: Why Comparing Nigeria to Rwanda or Seychelles is Flawed

During his address, Shettima addressed a common point of frustration among critics: why Nigeria cannot easily replicate the economic turnarounds of smaller African nations like Rwanda, Botswana, or the Seychelles.

While expressing deep personal admiration for leaders like Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Shettima argued that comparing Nigeria to these countries is a massive demographic mistake. He urged analysts to look closely at the actual numbers:

“So numbers count. Take it or leave it, Nigeria is a great nation,” the Vice President added, emphasizing that the sheer scale, diversity, and complexity of governing over 220 million people presents challenges unique only to Nigeria.

Back to the Land: A $500 Million Oil Palm Breakthrough

To anchor his arguments in economic reality, Shettima urged Nigerians to pivot heavily back to agriculture, which he described as the historic backbone of the nation’s economy.

As a practical example of proactive leadership, the Vice President highly commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for his lightning-fast response to a massive international investment opportunity.

Shettima revealed that representatives from one of Malaysia’s leading oil palm producers recently visited his office, proposing a massive $500 million investment in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.


“I called the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno. He picked the phone and… said, ‘Let them come and start work at once.’ This is leadership,” Shettima explained. He noted that such administrative agility is exactly what Nigeria needs to create jobs and pull millions of citizens out of poverty.