By Joy Yesufu
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.
The decision ends weeks of speculation over whether the President would personally attend the annual gathering of world leaders.
In a statement on Sunday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Shettima would lead a high-level Nigerian delegation to the General Assembly.
The delegation will include Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
The UN General Assembly’s 81st General Debate is scheduled for September 22 to 26 and September 28, 2026, at the UN Headquarters in New York. The session is being held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
At the General Debate, Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s positions and priorities on issues relating to national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
According to the Presidency, 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.
Shettima is further 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.
The Presidency said the engagements would provide an opportunity for Nigeria to advance its economic diplomacy, deepen strategic partnerships and strengthen its advocacy on reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his engagements in New York.
The development follows earlier reports that Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, had said in July that Tinubu would personally attend the 81st UNGA.
Tinubu subsequently embarked on a three-week vacation in Europe on August 30, with London as his first destination before proceeding to France. The Presidency had said he would return to Nigeria after the leave.
The United Nations lists the General Debate as the central high-level segment of the 81st session, during which heads of state, government and other high-level representatives address the Assembly.
