President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with Vice President Kashim Shettima designated to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
The decision means Tinubu will be absent from the UN General Assembly’s high-level gathering for the third consecutive year, having also been represented by Shettima at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025. Stanley Nkwocha, spokesman to the Vice President, confirmed the arrangement in a statement.
“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. VP 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 81st UNGA General Debate will be held from September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme, ‘Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.’
“At the General Debate, Senator Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s position and priorities on major global issues with implications for national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation. The Vice President will also participate in high-level meetings during the UNGA week, including engagements on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and the African continent,” the statement said.
Shettima is also expected to attend the traditional reception for heads of delegation and hold bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly. According to the Presidency, the engagements will focus on Nigeria’s economic diplomacy, strategic partnerships, reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.
Tinubu’s decision not to attend follows earlier indications that he would personally participate in this year’s gathering. Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, had previously said arrangements were being made for Tinubu to attend, including provisions for him to sit close to US President Donald Trump.
Ibrahim has since dismissed concerns about Tinubu’s absence, saying Nigeria will remain fully represented at the General Assembly. He said Shettima, Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and other senior government officials would participate in key engagements throughout the high-level session.
Ibrahim also said it was common diplomatic practice for presidents to be represented by vice presidents or foreign ministers when they do not attend the annual gathering. According to the envoy, more than 60 per cent of those listed to speak at the session are being represented by vice presidents or foreign ministers.
“The Vice President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are adequately positioned to represent Nigeria at the General Assembly and participate fully in the diplomatic engagements surrounding the session,” Ibrahim said. He also maintained that Nigeria would retain its designated seating arrangement, including its front-row position at the Assembly.
“The absence of the President should not be interpreted as Nigeria being inadequately represented. Our delegation will continue to participate fully in the proceedings,” he said. The UN General Debate is scheduled to begin on September 22 and continue through September 26 before concluding on September 28.