The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima is set to lead Nigeria’s delegation at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The development follows an announcement by the Presidency that Tinubu would be returning to Nigeria after his three-week vacation in Europe.
The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly opened on September 8, while the high-level week is scheduled to kickstart on September 22 to 29 at its headquarters in New York.
The UN’s official schedule indicated that the General Debate will run from September 22 to 26 and continue on September 28, and will bring together heads of state, government leaders and other high-level representatives.
However, President Tinubu’s decision not to attend the meeting marks a change from earlier plans that had him scheduled to address world leaders during the General Debate.
A statement on Sunday, September 20, 2026, by Stanley Nkwocha, Special Assistant on Media to the President in the office of the Vice President, stated that Tinubu has directed Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation at the UN General Assembly.
With the development, it means that Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the high-level General Debate.
A provisional programme of the even indicated that Tinubu was listed as the 10th speaker for the morning session on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
