Florence Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy, has made history by becoming the first British-Nigerian to host an opening session at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The event, themed “The Summit of the Future – Youth Action Day,” took place over the weekend and marked a significant milestone in her career as a global music sensation, philanthropist, and founder of the Cuppy Foundation.

DJ Cuppy, daughter of Nigerian billionaire businessman Femi Otedola, captivated the audience with her keynote session, bringing a youthful vibrancy to the proceedings. She introduced herself in her signature style, saying, “My name is Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, but you can call me Cuppy. I’m repping a country called Nigeria, in case you’ve heard of it. I’m a DJ, philanthropist, but also your moderator. But it feels like I’m more your co-host because today is all about you. It’s all about you”.

During her opening remarks, Cuppy emphasized the importance of youth leadership and action, stating, “Someone once told me, it’s not about your ‘what’, but it’s about your ‘why’. So why are we here? We believe that youth need to be able to take action. We believe in leadership that brings everyone to the table. And that’s why I’m just so proud to be here”³. She also shared her passion for education, highlighting her foundation’s efforts to provide funds for African students.

The session concluded with a powerful musical performance by DJ Cuppy, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. Her presence at the 79th UNGA underscored the critical role of young people in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is leading Nigeria’s delegation to this year’s UNGA, also attended the event, representing Nigeria in various high-level meetings.