Tinubu skips UNGA again, sends Shettima

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will once again skip the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima mandated to represent him at the 81st session of the global gathering.
Tinubu has not personally attended the UN General Assembly since he became president in May 2023. Instead, Shettima has represented Nigeria’s president at the high-level General Debate in both 2024 and 2025.
The Presidency announced on Sunday that Tinubu had again directed Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UN General Assembly, scheduled for September 22 to 28, 2026.
Shettima represented Tinubu at the 79th UNGA in September 2024, where he delivered Nigeria’s national statement before the General Assembly. UN records identify him as Nigeria’s representative who addressed the General Debate on September 24, 2024.
A year later, Shettima again represented Tinubu at the 80th UNGA in New York and delivered Nigeria’s national statement on September 24, 2025. The State House also documented his participation at the General Debate.
The 2026 assignment will therefore mark the third consecutive UNGA at which Shettima represents Tinubu since the President assumed office.
According to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice-President, Shettima will lead a delegation comprising Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
He is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the General Debate, outlining the country’s position on major global issues affecting national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
Shettima will also participate in high-level meetings on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and Africa.
The Vice-President is expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
The Presidency said the engagements would be used to advance Tinubu’s economic diplomacy, deepen strategic partnerships and strengthen Nigeria’s position on reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.
Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after completing his engagements in New York.