President Bola Tinubu has confirmed that he will not physically attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States. This decision ends weeks of speculation over the President's attendance at the high-level diplomatic event. Earlier official indications suggested that Tinubu would travel to New York and address the General Debate. However, Vice President Kashim Shettima has been directed to represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria's delegation.
The delegation will include Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers, and other senior government officials. Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria's national statement during the General Debate, outlining the country's position and priorities on issues relating to national development, international peace and security, economic growth, and multilateral cooperation.
The UN's official programme shows that the General Debate of the 81st General Assembly will take place from September 22 to 28, 2026, at the UN Headquarters in New York. The 81st session opened on September 8 under the theme, "Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all." This year's session is expected to feature high-level meetings on issues including the Right to Development, climate action, and other matters considered strategically important to Nigeria and Africa.
Shettima will also participate in high-level meetings and hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, international organisations, and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly. These engagements will provide Nigeria with an opportunity to advance President Tinubu's economic diplomacy, deepen strategic partnerships, and strengthen the country's advocacy on reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance, and multilateral cooperation.
The decision for Shettima to lead the Nigerian delegation reverses an earlier announcement by Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, who had said in July that Tinubu would attend the General Assembly and address world leaders. Ibrahim had also said arrangements had been made for Tinubu to sit close to United States President Joe Biden, not Donald Trump as mentioned in some reports.
Tinubu's decision not to attend the 81st UNGA means he will miss the annual high-level gathering for the third consecutive year since assuming office in May 2023. His absence also marks a change from the position publicly announced by Nigeria's UN envoy earlier in the year. In July, Ibrahim had said Tinubu would attend the 81st General Assembly and present his administration's reform achievements to the international community.
According to Stanley Nkwocha, spokesman for the Vice President, Tinubu mandated Shettima to represent him and lead the Nigerian delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after completing his engagements in New York. The Vice President's participation in the General Assembly will help maintain Nigeria's visibility on the global stage and promote the country's interests.
Key points
- President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria's delegation to the 81st UNGA.
- Shettima will deliver Nigeria's national statement and participate in high-level meetings during the General Assembly.
