President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima set to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
The Presidency confirmed the development on Sunday, with Stanley Nkwocha, spokesman to the Vice-President, announcing that Tinubu had directed Shettima to represent him at the annual gathering of world leaders.
Shettima will lead a high-level Nigerian delegation that includes Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
The development marks a change from the earlier plan for Tinubu to personally attend the General Assembly and deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
A provisional programme obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had previously listed Tinubu as the 10th speaker during the morning session on the second day of the high-level General Debate on Wednesday, September 23.
However, the latest announcement means Shettima will now deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the General Debate.
The 81st UN General Assembly opened on September 8, while the high-level General Debate is scheduled to run from September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
The Presidency has not publicly given a reason for Tinubu’s decision not to attend the New York meeting.
Earlier reports had indicated that Tinubu was expected to return to Nigeria after spending about three weeks on vacation in Europe. His earlier planned appearance at the UN General Assembly had also been publicly reported, including his scheduled position on the provisional speakers’ list.
Shettima has represented Nigeria at the 79th and 80th sessions of the UN General Assembly in 2024 and 2025.
At this year’s General Debate, the Vice-President is expected to present Nigeria’s position and priorities on major international issues, including matters relating to national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
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