The Federal Government has explained that President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York is due to his ongoing annual leave, with Vice President Kashim Shettima representing him at the high-level gathering.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Tinubu had specifically directed Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation and assured that the Vice President was attending with the full authority of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Idris, in a statement on Monday, dismissed concerns that Tinubu’s non-attendance could affect Nigeria’s diplomatic position, saying, “President Tinubu is currently on annual leave, and his decision to ask the Vice President to lead Nigeria’s delegation is neither unusual nor a diminution of the country’s diplomatic standing.”
He added that Shettima’s representation was backed by the President’s full mandate.
According to Idris, “Vice President Shettima carries the full mandate of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The Vice President is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate and take part in high-level meetings as well as bilateral discussions with world leaders, international organisations and development partners.
The Federal Government said the engagements will focus on issues including peace and security, economic development, climate action, reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development and international cooperation.
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Idris said, “Nigeria will therefore be fully and effectively represented throughout the high-level session.”
The minister’s clarification followed public reactions to Tinubu’s decision not to attend the annual gathering personally.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, had earlier said in July that the President was expected to attend the 81st UNGA in person, with arrangements reportedly made for him to sit close to United States President Donald Trump.
Tinubu subsequently left Abuja on August 30 for a three-week annual leave in Europe, initially travelling to London before proceeding to France. The Presidency later announced that he would return to Nigeria after his vacation.
The development triggered speculation over whether the President would make a personal appearance at the UN gathering before the Presidency confirmed that Shettima would lead the Nigerian delegation.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, announced that Shettima would represent Tinubu at the event. The Vice President arrived in New York on Monday ahead of the General Debate.
The 81st UNGA General Debate is scheduled for September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
Shettima will use the gathering to present Nigeria’s position on major international issues and participate in high-level diplomatic engagements. His schedule also includes bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners.
Idris’ statement also responded to criticism surrounding the President’s absence, noting that the Federal Government had taken note of comments made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying organisation retained by him.