Vice President Kashim Shettima will represent President Bola Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
The decision ends weeks of uncertainty over whether Tinubu would personally attend the annual gathering of world leaders.
Shettima will lead a high-level delegation comprising Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials, the Presidency said on Sunday.
The development marks a change from the position announced in July by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, who said Tinubu had agreed to personally attend the 81st UNGA.
Ibrahim had said the President would participate in the General Debate and selected high-level side events, with discussions expected to cover areas including energy, education and healthcare.
Tinubu later travelled to Europe on August 30 for a three-week vacation, first visiting London before proceeding to France. His travel schedule fuelled speculation that he might not make the trip to New York.
Shettima has represented Tinubu at previous sessions of the UN General Assembly, including the 79th session in 2024 and the 80th session in 2025.
At this year’s gathering, the Vice President will deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the high-level General Debate, outlining the country’s priorities on global issues with implications for national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
He is also expected to participate in high-level meetings on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and the African continent.
The Presidency said Shettima would attend 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.
The meetings are expected to support Nigeria’s economic diplomacy and efforts to deepen strategic partnerships.
The Nigerian delegation will also push issues relating to reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.
The 81st session of the UN General Assembly opened on September 8, while the high-level General Debate is scheduled for September 22 to 28.
The session is being held under the theme, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”
The United Nations says nearly 130 heads of state and government are expected to attend High-level Week in person.
Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after completing his engagements in New York.
