President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
Politics Nigeria reports that the development ends weeks of uncertainty over Tinubu’s attendance at the annual gathering of world leaders, after Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, had earlier confirmed that the President would participate in the session.
The Presidency, through Shettima’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, announced the development in a statement released on Sunday.
Shettima is expected to 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 high-level General Debate of the 81st UNGA is scheduled for September 22 to 28, with the session themed, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
It is understood that the 81st session opened on September 8, while the General Debate will take place from September 22 to 26 and on September 28.
Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the General Debate, presenting the country’s positions and priorities on issues relating to national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
He is also scheduled to participate in high-level meetings on the Right to Development, climate action and other matters considered important to Nigeria and the African continent.
According to the Presidency, the Vice President will participate in the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the assembly.
The engagements are expected to provide an avenue for Nigeria to pursue the Tinubu administration’s economic diplomacy, strengthen strategic partnerships and advance discussions on reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.
It is understood that the decision to send Shettima follows reports on Friday that Tinubu would not travel to New York for the UNGA, despite earlier official indications that he would attend and address the General Debate.
A source close to the Presidency had told newsmen that Tinubu would not attend the assembly but did not disclose the reason for the change in his itinerary.
The reported change came after preparations had been made for Tinubu’s participation. A provisional UN programme had listed the President as the 10th speaker during the morning session on the second day of the General Debate, Wednesday, September 23.
Ibrahim had also said in July that Tinubu had confirmed his attendance, with the President expected to use the platform to showcase his administration’s economic reforms and seek international cooperation on issues including border policing in West Africa.
This will be the third consecutive UNGA session at which Shettima represents Tinubu. The Vice President led Nigeria’s delegation and delivered the country’s national statement at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
Tinubu personally attended the 78th UNGA in 2023.
Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after concluding his engagements in New York.
