Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Osodi, has clarified that Tinubu's decision to stay away from the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is due to his focus on domestic priorities and other international engagements. Osodi made the clarification on Channels Television's Sunday Politics. The Presidency had announced that Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria's delegation to the UNGA in New York.
According to Osodi, Tinubu's absence should not be interpreted as a reduction in Nigeria's diplomatic engagement or international standing. Nigeria has diverse interests in various regional and continental groups, including the BRICS. Osodi emphasized that the UNGA is not the only group Nigeria is a member of. He added that Tinubu is currently concentrating on domestic issues, including the economy and security, while also participating in other international engagements considered important to Nigeria.
Osodi maintained that Nigeria's position and influence would not be diminished due to Tinubu's absence. He stated that Nigeria would have senior representation at the gathering, including the country's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim. The 81st UNGA is scheduled to hold in New York from September 22 to 28, 2026. Shettima will head Nigeria's delegation to the gathering.
Osodi rejected suggestions that Tinubu's repeated absence from the UNGA was connected to difficulties between the Nigerian President and the United States. He described the claim as an "old chestnut" and recalled Tinubu's previous visits to the US. Osodi mentioned that he was with Tinubu during his previous visits to the US, including a trip to the stock exchange and meetings on the side.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded an explanation for Tinubu's decision not to attend the UNGA for the third consecutive year. Atiku's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, argued that repeated delegation could not replace the visibility and authority of the President at a major diplomatic gathering. Atiku also questioned reports that arrangements had been made for Tinubu to sit near US President Donald Trump during the gathering.
Osodi maintained that Tinubu's absence should not be interpreted as evidence of strained relations between Nigeria and the United States. He recalled Tinubu's previous travels through Los Angeles while on his way to Japan for an engagement with the Japanese Development Agency. Osodi described the claims of strained relations as "politics."
The Senior Special Assistant emphasized that Tinubu's focus on domestic concerns and other international engagements does not diminish Nigeria's role as a giant of Africa and a leader of the economic resurgence of Africa. With or without Tinubu's presence, Nigeria's role will not change, Osodi said.
Key points
- President Bola Tinubu will miss the 81st UNGA, with VP Kashim Shettima leading Nigeria's delegation.
- Tinubu's absence is due to his focus on domestic priorities and other international engagements.
- Nigeria's position and influence will not be diminished due to Tinubu's absence, according to Ademola Osodi.
