By Saidu Abubakar
Vice President, Senator Kashin Shettima will represent Nigeria at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, stepping in for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu due to last minute shift in plans, according to impeccable sources.
Permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim previously stated in July that President Tinubu would attend in person, but a change in schedule means Shettima will now represent the administration instead.
UNGA high-level General Debate is running from September 22 to 28, 2026.
Ambassador Ibrahim had confirmed that President Bola Tinubu would attend UNGA 81 in person and also address the General Assembly on Wednesday 23rd September 2026 as the 10th speaker, around 11:30am New York time.
President Tinubu last attended in person in 2023. VP Shettima represented him in 2024 and 2025, making it the third year in a row he skipped the UNGA.
As of Friday 18th September, 2026, it was reported in the media that Tinubu has cancelled the trip with Shettima confirmed to represent him again.
The Presidency, as at the time of filing this report, has not yet released an official statement giving a reason for the change, so we’re waiting for the final official delegation list to the UN Assembly.
World leaders are expected to address the assembly, starting traditionally with Brazil followed by the United States. Nigerian President had been scheduled for Wednesday 23rd September 2026 as the 10th speaker.
Theme for this year is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All”
High-Level Meetings include sessions on climate action, the just transition, and commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development on September 23, 2026.
