BREAKING: Tinubu Won’t Attend 81st UNGA, Directs Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed that he will not physically attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
The development ends weeks of speculation over whether the President would participate in the annual global gathering.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, had said Tinubu would attend the 81st UNGA, adding that arrangements had been made for the Nigerian President to sit close to United States President Donald Trump.
However, the Presidency had not officially confirmed Tinubu’s attendance.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Stanley Nkwocha, spokesman to Vice President Kashim Shettima, announced that Tinubu had directed the Vice President to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA.
“President Bola Ahmed 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, UNGA, in New York, United States,” the statement said.
Shettima will 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 hold from September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme: “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
According to the statement, Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s position and priorities on major global issues, including national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
The Vice President is also expected to participate in high-level meetings on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues considered important to Nigeria and the African continent.
He will further attend the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
The engagements are expected to focus on economic diplomacy, strategic partnerships, reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.
Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after concluding his engagements in New York.
The development means Tinubu will not physically attend the UN General Assembly for the third consecutive year since assuming office in 2023.
