Tinubu to skip UN General Assembly for third consecutive year…Shettima to deliver Nigeria’s address

The provisional program lists Tinubu to deliver Nigeria’s national statement on September 23.

President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with Vice President Kashim Shettima expected to lead Nigeria’s delegation for the third consecutive year.

According to Parallel Facts, Shettima’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed that the vice president would represent Nigeria at the high-level gathering.

Tinubu had previously been expected to attend the assembly. Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, had announced that preparations were underway for the president’s participation. The provisional programme also listed Tinubu to deliver Nigeria’s national statement on September 23.

The change means Tinubu will miss the annual gathering for a third consecutive year after Shettima represented him at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025. An official State House document confirms Shettima delivered Nigeria’s address at the 80th session last year.

No official reason was given for Tinubu’s decision not to attend this year’s meeting. Parallel Facts linked the development to renewed attention surrounding historical US law-enforcement records involving Tinubu, but the publication did not provide evidence establishing that the records influenced his travel decision. It also noted that the Presidency says no US court has found Tinubu guilty of criminal wrongdoing in connection with the matter.

Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings on development, climate action and international cooperation.

The UNGA General Debate is scheduled for September 22 to 28.