Former Vice President questions President’s decision to stay away as Shettima leads Nigeria’s delegation to New York
Presidency says Tinubu is on annual leave, while UN envoy insists Nigeria remains fully represented at the global gathering
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision not to personally attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, with Vice President Kashim Shettima leading Nigeria’s delegation.
Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, demanded an explanation for what he described as Tinubu’s third consecutive absence from the UN General Assembly since 2024.
The criticism followed the Presidency’s announcement that Tinubu had directed Shettima to represent him at the annual gathering of world leaders.
According to the Presidency, Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level and bilateral engagements during the UNGA week.
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Why Tinubu is not attending UNGA
The Presidency has said Tinubu is currently on an extended working vacation in Europe and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.
The State House confirmed that Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London before travelling to Paris, where he held meetings during his vacation. It said he had continued to direct affairs of government while away and had delegated Shettima to represent him at the UNGA.
Shettima left Abuja on September 20 for New York to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
The delegation includes Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
The 81st UNGA General Debate is scheduled for September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
Tinubu had earlier been expected to attend
The decision not to attend comes after Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, said in July that Tinubu would personally attend the 81st UNGA.
Ibrahim had also disclosed that arrangements had been made for the Nigerian President to occupy a seat close to United States President Donald Trump during the gathering.
A provisional programme released in August also listed Tinubu to address the General Debate on September 23.
However, the Presidency subsequently announced that Shettima would represent him.
‘Nigeria will be adequately represented’
Ibrahim has defended Nigeria’s participation despite Tinubu’s absence.
The Nigerian envoy said it was not unusual for countries to delegate their vice presidents or foreign ministers when presidents were unable to attend.
He said Nigeria would retain its designated position at the UNGA and that Shettima, alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and other senior officials, would participate fully in the proceedings.
Ibrahim also said more than 60 per cent of those scheduled to speak at the gathering were being represented by either vice presidents or foreign ministers.
The envoy maintained that Tinubu’s absence should not be interpreted as inadequate representation for Nigeria.
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Atiku demands explanation
Reacting to the development, Atiku questioned why Tinubu had not personally attended the UNGA in 2024, 2025 and now 2026.
According to Atiku, repeatedly sending the Vice President to represent the country at the gathering required an explanation from the Presidency.
He argued that although Shettima could represent Nigeria at the meeting, the President’s personal participation could provide opportunities for direct engagements with other heads of government, investors and international partners.
Atiku also questioned whether Tinubu’s previous dealings with United States law-enforcement authorities had any bearing on his repeated absence from events in the US.
The former Vice President further raised questions about reports that Nigeria had spent millions of dollars on lobbying efforts in the United States, arguing that Nigerians deserved clarification on the purpose and outcome of such expenditure.
These claims and questions were made by Atiku and have not been established as facts by independent evidence in the material reviewed for this report.
Federal Government rejects speculation
The Federal Government has since pushed back against Atiku’s comments, warning against presenting speculation as established fact.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said political opposition and public debate were legitimate, but urged political actors to distinguish between verified information, political opinion and unsubstantiated claims.
The minister said Nigeria’s relationship with the United States was conducted through established diplomatic and governmental channels covering areas including trade, investment, security cooperation, energy and regional stability.
He also rejected the suggestion that Tinubu’s absence diminished Nigeria’s diplomatic representation at the UNGA.
Shettima takes over Nigeria’s UNGA engagements
As Tinubu remains away from the gathering, Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in meetings covering development, climate action, international cooperation and other issues considered important to Nigeria and Africa.
The Presidency said the engagements would also provide opportunities to advance Nigeria’s economic diplomacy and strengthen the country’s position on reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development and climate finance.
Shettima also said Nigeria would engage at the UNGA from the standpoint of national interest while pushing for reforms that would give developing countries a stronger voice in global institutions.
The Vice President previously represented Tinubu at the 79th and 80th UNGA sessions in 2024 and 2025.
The latest development has therefore renewed political debate over presidential participation in major international gatherings, with Atiku demanding an explanation and the Federal Government maintaining that Nigeria remains fully represented despite Tinubu’s absence.
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