President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria's delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This development ends weeks of uncertainty over Tinubu's attendance at the annual gathering of world leaders. The UNGA session is themed "Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all."
The high-level General Debate of the 81st UNGA is scheduled for September 22 to 28. Shettima will lead a high-level delegation comprising Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state, ministers, and other senior government officials. The Vice President will deliver Nigeria's national statement at the General Debate, presenting the country's positions and priorities on issues relating to national development, peace and security, economic growth, and international cooperation.
Shettima is also scheduled to participate in high-level meetings on the Right to Development, climate action, and other matters considered important to Nigeria and the African continent. According to the Presidency, the Vice President will participate in the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, international organisations, and development partners on the sidelines of the assembly.
The engagements are expected to provide an avenue for Nigeria to pursue the Tinubu administration's economic diplomacy, strengthen strategic partnerships, and advance discussions on reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance, and multilateral cooperation. This will be the third consecutive UNGA session at which Shettima represents Tinubu, having led Nigeria's delegation and delivered the country's national statement at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
Tinubu personally attended the 78th UNGA in 2023. The decision to send Shettima follows reports that Tinubu would not travel to New York for the UNGA, despite earlier official indications that he would attend and address the General Debate. A source close to the Presidency had told newsmen that Tinubu would not attend the assembly but did not disclose the reason for the change in his itinerary.
The 81st session of the UNGA opened on September 8, while the General Debate will take place from September 22 to 26 and on September 28. Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, had earlier confirmed that the President would participate in the session. A provisional UN programme had listed Tinubu as the 10th speaker during the morning session on the second day of the General Debate, Wednesday, September 23.
Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after concluding his engagements in New York. The Vice President's participation in the UNGA is expected to further Nigeria's interests and strengthen the country's relationships with other nations. Key issues to be discussed during the General Debate include sustainable development, climate finance, and multilateral cooperation.
Key points
- President Tinubu directs Vice President Shettima to lead Nigeria's delegation to the 81st UNGA in New York.
- Shettima will deliver Nigeria's national statement at the General Debate, presenting the country's positions and priorities.
- The 81st UNGA session opened on September 8, with the General Debate taking place from September 22 to 28.
