President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the high-level gathering, which brings together world leaders and senior government officials to deliberate on pressing global issues.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, September 20, by the Vice President’s media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the delegation will include Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
The 81st UNGA 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.”
At the General Debate, Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, presenting the country’s positions on major international issues affecting national development, peace and security, economic growth and global cooperation.
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The Vice President is also expected to participate in several high-level meetings during the UNGA week.
His engagements will include discussions on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues considered strategically important to Nigeria and the African continent.
Shettima will further join other world leaders at the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and hold bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
According to the Presidency, the meetings will give Nigeria an opportunity to advance Tinubu’s economic diplomacy, strengthen strategic partnerships and promote the country’s interests on issues including reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria after completing his official engagements in New York.
With Tinubu’s expected absence at this year’s UNGA, it makes it the third consecutive time President Bola Tinubu has failed to attend.
Tinubu last attended the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2023 during the 78th Session, which was his first time attending as Nigeria’s president.
He did not attend the subsequent 79th session in 2024, the 80th session in 2025, or the 81st UNGA in 2026, delegating Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegations for those years instead.