President Bola Tinubu has mandated 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, United States, ending weeks of speculation over whether the President would personally attend the annual gathering of world leaders.
NAIJAONPOINT reports that the decision means Tinubu will miss the UNGA for the third consecutive year after attending the 78th session in 2023, with Shettima representing him at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
The development is particularly significant because Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, had in July announced that Tinubu had confirmed his attendance at the 81st UNGA.
Ibrahim, who briefed State House correspondents after meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, said the President had “generously agreed” to attend the gathering and would use the opportunity to present his administration’s reforms to the international community.
The envoy also said Tinubu was expected to sit in the front row, very close to United States President Donald Trump, although he stopped short of confirming that the two leaders would hold a bilateral meeting.
Ibrahim had further disclosed that Tinubu’s planned address was scheduled for the morning session in New York and was expected to focus on the administration’s reform agenda and Nigeria’s push for greater international cooperation on issues including border security in West Africa.
But the plan has now changed.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice-President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Tinubu had directed Shettima to lead the Nigerian delegation.
It added that Shettima would lead a high-level delegation comprising Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal; ministers and other senior government officials.
The 81st UNGA General Debate is scheduled to run from September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
In 2025, Shettima again represented Tinubu at the 80th UNGA and engaged UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council, among other issues.
The repeated delegation of presidential representation also comes at a time when the Tinubu administration is seeking to project Nigeria as a major destination for investment and strengthen the country’s influence in international affairs.
According to the Presidency, Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s positions and priorities on issues affecting national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
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