Vice President Kashim Shettima will take centre stage for Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, when he delivers the country’s national statement before world leaders in New York.
Shettima, who arrived in New York on Sunday night with full presidential mandate, will speak on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is currently on working vacation in Europe.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed that the Vice President will not just deliver the address, but also lead high-level bilateral and multilateral engagements to advance Nigeria’s interests throughout the week-long General Debate.
Presidency: No Diplomatic Minus
The Presidency has dismissed suggestions that President Tinubu’s absence is a setback.
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Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, said over 60 percent of invited presidents and prime ministers are being represented by deputies or foreign ministers this year.
“This is no minus for Nigeria,” Ibrahim said, noting Tinubu personally attended in 2023, while Shettima led the delegation in 2024 and 2025.
The Presidency also strongly rebuffed claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the ADC that Tinubu was avoiding the US. Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, described such insinuations as “pure politics” and “baseless.”
“There is absolutely no impediment,” Oshodi said. He recalled Tinubu has travelled to the US since assuming office, including the 78th UNGA in 2023 and a visit to Los Angeles in 2025.
Nigeria’s Bold Pitch at UN
For Shettima, the mission is clear and combative.
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“Our message in New York is clear. Nigeria believes in multilateralism, but the institutions that govern our world must become more representative, equitable and responsive,” he declared on arrival.
Top on Nigeria’s agenda is a renewed campaign for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, anchored on its population, peacekeeping record and status as Africa’s largest economy. The delegation will also push for reform of the global financial architecture, climate finance and stronger voice for developing nations.
Shettima was accompanied by Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Minister of State for Budget Doris Uzoka-Anite, and was briefed by Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The 81st UNGA, themed “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all,” opened today and runs until September 28.
