President Bola 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 in New York, United States.
The development ends weeks of speculation over whether Tinubu would personally attend the annual gathering of world leaders.
Nigeria’s envoy to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, had in July said the president would personally attend the 81st UNGA, saying that provisions had been made for him to sit close to Donald Trump, his American counterpart.
But Tinubu departed Abuja for a three-week vacation in Europe on August 30, with London as his first destination, before proceeding to France.
Presidency announced that Tinubu would return to the country after his leave, prompting talks that he will miss UNGA in US.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, the Presidency said Shettima would lead the Nigerian delegation.
“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.
“VP Shettima will 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 statement said.
The 81st UNGA General Debate is scheduled to hold from September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
At the General Debate, the statement said “Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s position and priorities on major global issues with implications for national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
“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 also expected to join other world leaders at the traditional reception for heads of delegation and participate in bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.”
According to the statement, the engagements will provide Nigeria with an opportunity to advance Tinubu’s economic diplomacy, deepen strategic partnerships and strengthen the country’s voice on reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.
Shettima will return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his engagements in New York.
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