President’s Absence Comes After Earlier Confirmation That He Would Personally Attend the UNGA.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not be physically present at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States, the Presidency has announced.
The development marks a change from earlier plans that indicated the Nigerian president would attend the annual gathering of world leaders and deliver the country’s national statement during the high-level General Debate.
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According to a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, spokesman to Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu has directed the Vice President to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the international meeting.
The announcement comes as world leaders prepare to gather in New York for the high-level segment of the 81st UN General Assembly.
WHY Tinubu Will Not Be in New York
The Presidency has not publicly disclosed a specific reason for President Tinubu’s decision not to attend the UNGA in person.
However, the development follows the president’s decision to return to Nigeria after spending approximately three weeks on vacation in Europe.
The announcement also represents a reversal of earlier expectations surrounding Tinubu’s participation in the 2026 General Assembly.
In July, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, had stated that Tinubu had confirmed his intention to attend the gathering in New York. Reports at the time indicated that the president was expected to participate in high-level engagements and present Nigeria’s position on several international issues.
The latest directive means that Vice President Shettima will once again represent Nigeria at the global diplomatic event.
Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation
The Presidency’s announcement places Vice President Shettima at the head of Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA.
Shettima is expected to represent the country during the high-level General Debate, where heads of state, government leaders, ministers and senior officials from United Nations member states discuss major global challenges.
A provisional list of speakers obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had earlier listed President Tinubu as the 10th speaker during the morning session on the second day of the high-level General Debate scheduled for Wednesday, September 23.
With Tinubu no longer expected to attend, Shettima will represent Nigeria during the country’s scheduled appearance at the gathering.
The Vice President previously represented Nigeria at the 79th and 80th sessions of the UN General Assembly in 2024 and 2025. He also delivered Nigeria’s national statement during those sessions.
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