Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has assured that the country will be adequately represented at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) despite President Bola Tinubu’s absence.
Ibrahim said Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the high-level session in New York.
The envoy made the clarification in a statement issued on Sunday by the Nigerian Mission to the United Nations and shared on his Facebook page.
Ibrahim said Nigeria would retain its designated position at the General Assembly, including its front-row seat, despite Tinubu’s absence.
He explained that it was not unusual for countries to delegate representation to senior officials when their presidents could not attend.
According to him, more than 60 per cent of speakers listed for the ongoing UNGA were being represented by vice presidents or foreign ministers.
“The Vice President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are adequately positioned to represent Nigeria at the General Assembly and participate fully in the diplomatic engagements surrounding the session,” Ibrahim said.
Ibrahim said Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and other senior government officials would join Shettima at the high-level session.
The Nigerian delegation will also include Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate and participate in high-level and bilateral meetings on behalf of the country.
The envoy said Tinubu would not personally attend the 81st UNGA because the President was currently in France on annual leave.
He stressed that the President’s absence should not be interpreted as inadequate representation for Nigeria at the international gathering.
“The absence of the President should not be interpreted as Nigeria being inadequately represented. Our delegation will continue to participate fully in the proceedings,” Ibrahim said.
He urged Nigerians to view the country’s participation within the broader context of diplomatic representation, noting that Nigeria would continue to play its role fully at the General Assembly.
The General Debate of the 81st UNGA is scheduled to take place from September 22 to 28, 2026.
The session is being held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
Nigeria’s delegation is expected to participate in discussions on global issues as well as bilateral and multilateral diplomatic engagements during the session.
The development follows earlier reports that Tinubu was expected to personally attend the 81st UNGA.
READ MORE: Shettima To Represent Tinubu At UNGA 2026
Ibrahim had said in July that preparations had been made for the President’s attendance, including arrangements for him to sit close to US President Donald Trump during the gathering.
The Presidency subsequently announced on Sunday that Tinubu had mandated Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to New York.
Shettima previously represented Tinubu at the 79th and 80th sessions of the UNGA in 2024 and 2025.
The latest arrangement means the Vice President will once again lead Nigeria’s delegation at the high-level diplomatic gathering while the President remains outside the United States.
