In The Shadow Of Greatness: My Journey With Vice President Kashim Shettima -By Comrade Mahmud Muhammad

As someone privileged to serve closely alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima, I find it both a duty and an honour to reflect on a relationship shaped by humility, loyalty, and leadership that transcends titles. Mine is not a story written in grandeur but one forged in the quiet strength of a man who dignifies the smallest voices and uplifts those around him, often without even trying.

My first real encounter with the Vice President—then Governor of Borno State—remains etched in my memory. I was the youngest special assistant in his cabinet. Most would assume someone in my position might be overlooked in such an environment, but not with him. He never once called any of his aides by their names alone. Instead, he added a courtesy and a good humor “Honourable” or “Sir” before every name. To him, it wasn’t just a formality—it was a sign of respect, of inclusion.

To this day, I still hear his warm voice echoing in my mind: “Honourable Comrade Mahmud Muhammad” “Small but Mighty”, “Sir” or “I am mightily proud of you.” That nickname, “Small but Mighty,” stuck. It was coined by him, and it eventually became the name others called me by, too. What does that tell us? That humility is not an act. For VP Shettima, it is his way of life. He is a man who wears greatness with modesty, who reminds us that even in power, one must remain grounded in humility.

Throughout his journey in public service from Commissioner, Governor, Senator, and now Vice President, Senator Shettima has never wavered in his commitment to serving the greatest good. His loyalty is not merely upward, it flows laterally to his team and downward to the people he serves. Working alongside him has been nothing short of a daily dose of lessons in integrity, humility, and purposeful leadership.

His open-door policy isn’t a cliché; it’s a living reality. Whether it’s a cabinet member, a special adviser, or a rank and file, the Vice President listens intently and respectfully. He believes in learning from every voice, regardless of rank or background. That’s not just humility. That’s wisdom. That’s compassion. That’s leadership in its purest form.

Beyond his personal warmth and accessibility, the Vice President possesses an unparalleled ability to unite people across divides—political, religious, and ethnic. He is, in the truest sense, a bridge-builder, and a Pan— Nigerian. His inclusive nature has earned him admiration not only from within our party but across the political spectrum. I have seen him work late into the night, engaged in finding solutions to what happens in poor villages, to empower the girl-child, women and youths, and to drive economic development. His optimism in the face of adversity is infectious. He doesn’t just lead with plans; he leads with purpose.

Equally remarkable is his unwavering loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In private and public, he has repeatedly attested to the President’s integrity, calling him a man who genuinely means well for Nigeria. “I have seen the heart of the President,” he often says, “and I know he means well for this nation. In the fullness of time, posterity will be kind to him.” That bond between them, that conviction and confidence —it is characterised by mutual respect, a shared vision, and Renewed Hope for a better Nigeria, which are the cornerstone of this administration’s strength.

When we assumed office, Nigeria’s economic situation was sobering. The debt service-to-revenue ratio was above 100 per cent—a precarious path that, left unchecked, would spell disaster. But President Tinubu did not flinch. From the moment of inauguration, he began making courageous decisions to reset the course of our economy. He dismantled the fuel subsidy regime and unified multiple exchange rate systems. These were not easy choices. They were painful, even controversial. But they were necessary. And they revealed a truth we all needed to see: true leadership is not about popularity. It’s about responsibility.

Some may ask: What has my role been in all of this? As the Personal Assistant on Domestic Affairs (Northeast), my task has been to ensure that the Vice President’s vision, and by extension, the President’s vision, is executed efficiently and faithfully in my constituency. In the last two years, I have been directly involved in administering the Vice President’s educational initiatives, free healthcare programmes, community outreaches, emergency relief interventions, sustainable agricultural practices, and youth empowerment schemes. I have contributed to shaping and implementing policies that directly affect our people. Our engagements are not ceremonial—they are strategic. And they are producing real results.

What makes our work meaningful is not only the outcomes but also the values that drive them: transparency, accountability, and unshakable faith in the Nigerian people. The President and Vice President have dared to make the hard calls—reforms that may bite today but will build a stronger, more resilient Nigeria tomorrow. While some may wail about the passing of an old order, history will remember this government as one that had the courage to do what was right, not what was easy.

As we step into the third year of this administration, I want to appeal directly to my fellow Nigerians: let us remain steadfast. The pain we feel today is not in vain. It is the price of nation-building. It is the cost of transformation. But beyond that pain lies a promise—a new Nigeria where potential is not stifled by corruption, where ideas flourish, and where every citizen, no matter their background, has a shot at success.

In Vice President Shettima, I have found not just a mentor, but a role model. In President Tinubu, I see a visionary willing to walk the talk. And in this administration, I see a rare combination of courage and conviction—qualities that will shape the Nigeria of our dreams.

So, let us press on, not in despair but in hope. Let us honour the sacrifices being made today by holding onto the promise of a better tomorrow. And let us never forget that in the hands of humble, loyal, and visionary leaders like Vice President Kashim Shettima, Nigeria is not just in good hands—it is on the path to greatness.

Comrade Mahmud Muhammad, FDMSS, MNES, CNY is the Personal Assistant to the President on Domestic Affairs (Northeast), Office of the Vice President