Nigeria will be adequately represented at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly despite President Bola Tinubu’s decision not to personally attend the gathering, the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has said.
Ibrahim said Vice President Kashim Shettima, who has been mandated by Tinubu to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA in New York, is fully positioned to represent the country at the high-level diplomatic gathering.
The envoy made the clarification on Sunday amid growing attention surrounding Tinubu’s absence from the annual gathering of world leaders.
According to Ibrahim, the absence of a president from the General Assembly does not mean that a country is inadequately represented. He explained that it is common for countries to send vice presidents, foreign ministers or other senior officials when their presidents are unable to attend.
He disclosed that more than 60 per cent of those listed to speak at the ongoing General Assembly were being represented by either their vice presidents or foreign ministers.
“The Vice President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are adequately positioned to represent Nigeria at the General Assembly and participate fully in the diplomatic engagements surrounding the session,” Ibrahim said.
The Nigerian delegation will be led by Shettima and include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, other ministers and senior government officials.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements on behalf of the Federal Government.
The 81st UN General Assembly General Debate is scheduled to take place from September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
Ibrahim also said Nigeria would retain its designated position at the General Assembly, including its front-row seat, despite Tinubu’s absence. He said Shettima’s representation would ensure that Nigeria participates fully in the proceedings and diplomatic engagements surrounding the session.
The development follows an earlier expectation that Tinubu would personally attend the 81st UNGA. The President had been expected to use the gathering to present Nigeria’s positions on international issues and engage with other heads of government.
However, the Presidency announced on Sunday that Tinubu had mandated Shettima to represent him. According to the announcement, the President is currently in France on annual leave.
Shettima’s assignment will mark another occasion in which the Vice President has represented Tinubu at the United Nations General Assembly. He also represented the President at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
Ibrahim urged Nigerians to view the country’s participation at the UNGA within the broader context of diplomatic representation rather than focusing solely on the physical presence of the President.
He maintained that Nigeria’s delegation would continue to participate in the General Assembly’s proceedings and diplomatic activities, with senior officials representing the country across various engagements.
The Nigerian Mission to the United Nations is expected to coordinate the country’s participation throughout the session, while Shettima will lead the delegation during the high-level meetings.
The UNGA provides member states with an opportunity to present their positions on major international matters, including peace and security, economic development, international cooperation and global governance.
For Nigeria, the 81st session is also expected to provide an avenue for diplomatic engagements concerning the country’s economic interests, security challenges and international partnerships.
Ibrahim therefore maintained that Tinubu’s absence should not be interpreted as Nigeria withdrawing from the international diplomatic platform.
He assured that the country would retain its role and participate fully through the Shettima-led delegation as the General Debate begins in New York.
