Tinubu to miss UN General Assembly for third consecutive time — Premium Times Nigeria
In Nigeria, the presidential administration said that Bola Tinubu’s decision not to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly is not connected to possible travel restrictions to the United States. The country’s delegation at the meeting in New York will be led by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
As Premium Times Nigeria reports, the president’s senior special assistant on foreign affairs and protocol, Ademola Osodi, said that Tinubu is focused on domestic issues, including the economy and security. According to him, the president’s absence from the General Assembly will not affect Nigeria’s diplomatic positions or its role in African affairs.
Presidency denies restrictions on entry to the United States
Osodi dismissed suggestions that Tinubu cannot travel to the United States because of problems with the American authorities. He said that there are no obstacles to such a trip and recalled the president’s participation in the 2023 UN General Assembly. The official also mentioned another trip by Tinubu’s delegation, which travelled through Los Angeles to Yokohama, Japan, for events related to the Japanese development agency.
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Tinubu attended the 78th session of the General Assembly in 2023, but did not attend the 79th session in 2024 or the 80th session in 2025. Nigeria was represented by Shettima at both of those meetings, and he will lead the delegation this time as well.
Opposition position and delegation’s programme
Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom the publication describes as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, called for an explanation of Tinubu’s third consecutive absence. He said that the vice president can represent the country but cannot fully replace the head of state’s personal participation in a major diplomatic forum. Abubakar also raised the question of whether the president’s legal history in the United States could have influenced his decision.
The general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly is scheduled for September 22–28. Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, hold bilateral meetings and take part in high-level events. The presidential administration said that the delegation will promote economic diplomacy, development partnerships, climate finance and reform of the global financial system.
