Boluwatife Olatunbosun
Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation as Tinubu Skips UNGA
Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision not to attend the session in person.
The development means Tinubu will miss the annual gathering for the third consecutive year since assuming office in 2023.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate, which runs from September 22 to 28, outlining the country’s positions on issues including national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
A statement by the Vice President’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, said the delegation will include Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
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.
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He is expected to attend the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners.
According to the statement, the engagements are expected to support Nigeria’s economic diplomacy and strengthen partnerships on issues including reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development and climate finance.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, said Tinubu’s absence would not affect the country’s participation at the Assembly.
Ibrahim said it was common diplomatic practice for presidents who are unable to attend to be represented by vice presidents or foreign ministers. He added that more than 60 per cent of world leaders scheduled to address the current UNGA session would not be attending in person.
He also said Nigeria would retain its designated front-row seat at the Assembly and continue to participate fully in the diplomatic engagements.
Read also: Shettima in New York for UN General Assembly
Tinubu’s absence has, however, attracted criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who questioned the president’s repeated non-attendance at the gathering.
Atiku said Tinubu had also been absent from the 79th and 80th UNGA sessions in 2024 and 2025, respectively, with Shettima representing him.
Some international relations experts have also offered differing views on the significance of the president’s absence.
While Dr Riyauddeen Zubairu Maitama of Bayero University Kano expressed concern that repeated absence could affect Nigeria’s diplomatic standing and opportunities for high-level engagement, Dr Wasiu Kewulere of Kwara State University said physical attendance at UNGA alone was not sufficient to measure a country’s international influence.
Kewulere said the decision to send the Vice President could also reflect diplomatic considerations that were not publicly known.
Meanwhile, the 81st UNGA General Debate will be held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
