President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York after all, with Vice President Kashim Shettima now stepping in to represent Nigeria at the global summit.
The change marks a shift from the earlier plan announced in July, when Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, said Tinubu had confirmed he would personally attend the General Assembly.
The Presidency has now attributed Tinubu’s absence to his ongoing annual leave, saying Shettima is attending the UNGA with the President’s full mandate.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Monday that Tinubu’s decision to delegate the assignment should not be interpreted as a weakening of Nigeria’s diplomatic presence.
“President Tinubu is currently on annual leave,” Idris said, adding that Shettima’s representation was neither unusual nor a diminution of Nigeria’s diplomatic standing.
Shettima arrived in New York on Monday and is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate, while also holding bilateral meetings with world leaders, international organisations and development partners.
His agenda is expected to cover peace and security, economic development, climate action, reform of the global financial system and sustainable development.
Nigeria’s UN envoy, Ibrahim, also said the country would retain its designated position at the General Assembly, including its front-row seat, despite Tinubu’s absence. He said the Vice President and other senior officials were adequately positioned to represent the country.
The development follows Tinubu’s decision to extend his working vacation by a few days. The State House said on Monday that the President, who left Nigeria on August 30, would return at the weekend.
Tinubu initially travelled to London before moving to Paris, where the State House reported meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré during his working vacation.
His absence has nevertheless become a subject of political debate, particularly because of the earlier official confirmation that he would attend the UNGA.
Ibrahim had said in July that Tinubu had agreed to attend and that arrangements had been made for him to sit near United States President Donald Trump during the General Debate.
The Presidency has since placed the emphasis on continuity, arguing that Nigeria’s diplomatic interests will remain fully represented through Shettima and the high-level delegation accompanying him.
The 81st UNGA General Debate runs from September 22 to 28 under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”