A Nigerian social-media commentator who had earlier celebrated President Bola Tinubu’s expected attendance at the United Nations General Assembly has drawn attention online after changing his position following confirmation that the President will not attend the 81st UNGA in person.
The commentator, Opeoluwa (@OpeBee), initially posted that Tinubu was “set to be physically present” at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, describing the development after the President had missed the previous two editions. That post was published before the Presidency confirmed that Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent Tinubu at the gathering.
After the announcement, Opeoluwa posted a sharply different reaction, writing: “UNGA has lost its Mojo. I don’t see the relevance.” In another post responding to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s criticism of Tinubu’s absence, he wrote that comparing Nigeria with Venezuela and wishing for a similar scenario in Nigeria was “a new low,” adding: “Where do we draw the line in politics?”
The posts have prompted discussion over what critics describe as a dramatic change in tone. The controversy comes after the Presidency announced that Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA, with the Vice President expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level and bilateral engagements.
Atiku has meanwhile demanded an explanation for Tinubu’s third consecutive absence, having also been represented by Shettima at the 79th UNGA in 2024 and 80th in 2025.
Nigeria’s UN envoy, Jimoh Ibrahim, has defended the arrangement, saying presidential delegation is not unusual and that Nigeria will retain its designated position at the Assembly. The Presidency has also rejected suggestions that Tinubu’s absence is connected to any US travel restriction, saying the decision does not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing. The apparent reversal has since become a talking point online, with users contrasting Opeoluwa’s earlier celebration of Tinubu’s expected appearance with his subsequent dismissal of UNGA’s relevance after the President’s absence was confirmed.