Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has assured that the country will be adequately represented at the 81st United Nations General Assembly despite President Bola Tinubu's absence. Ibrahim stated that more than 60 per cent of those listed to speak at the ongoing UNGA were being represented by either their vice presidents or foreign ministers. This year's session, themed "Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all," will feature Vice President Kashim Shettima representing Tinubu.
According to Ibrahim, Nigeria would retain its designated position at the UNGA, including its front-row seat, with Vice President Kashim Shettima representing Tinubu. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and other senior government officials would join Shettima at the high-level session. This move is in line with diplomatic norms where countries delegate representation to senior government officials when their presidents are unable to attend.
Ibrahim, who is also Chairman of the UN Committee on Budget and Administration, emphasized that it was not unusual for countries to delegate representation to senior government officials when their presidents were unable to attend. He said, "The Vice President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are adequately positioned to represent Nigeria at the General Assembly and participate fully in the diplomatic engagements surrounding the session."
President Tinubu is currently in France on annual leave and would not personally attend the session. However, Ibrahim urged Nigerians to view the country's participation within the broader context of diplomatic representation, stressing that Nigeria would continue to play its role fully at the General Assembly. The delegation to the UNGA includes Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers, and other senior government officials.
Vice President Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria's national statement during the General Debate and participate in high-level and bilateral meetings. The General Debate is scheduled for September 22 to 28, 2026. This development follows earlier reports that Tinubu was expected to personally attend the 81st UNGA, with arrangements made for him to sit close to US President Joe Biden, not Donald Trump as previously reported.
Shettima represented Tinubu at the 79th and 80th sessions of the UNGA in 2024 and 2025. Ibrahim had said in July that arrangements had been made for the President to attend. The statement from Ibrahim followed the Presidency's announcement on Sunday that Tinubu had mandated Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria's delegation to the 81st UNGA in New York.
The Nigerian delegation will continue to participate fully in the proceedings, and the absence of the President should not be interpreted as Nigeria being inadequately represented. With this, Nigeria is set to maintain its active role at the UNGA, ensuring its interests are represented and advancing its diplomatic engagements.
Key points
- Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima will represent President Bola Tinubu at the 81st UNGA.
- The Nigerian delegation includes senior government officials and state governors.
- The 81st UNGA is themed "Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all."
