Presidency confirms Tinubu’s absence from UN General Assembly

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not be physically present at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.

The development follows an announcement by the Presidency that the President would return to Nigeria after his three-week vacation in Europe.

Stanley Nkwocha, spokesman to Vice President Kashim Shettima, announced the development in a statement on Sunday.

According to the statement, Tinubu had directed the Vice President to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA.

Tinubu’s absence was also confirmed after a provisional list of speakers obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) showed that Shettima would represent Nigeria at the high-level General Debate.

Tinubu had been listed as the 10th speaker during the morning session on the second day of the high-level General Debate scheduled for Wednesday, September 23.

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly began on September 8, 2026, while the high-level week is scheduled to take place from September 22 to 29 in New York City.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
President Tinubu Mandates VP Shettima To Lead Nigeria’s Delegation To 81st UNGA
** *Governors Fubara, Dauda Lawal, ministers, senior officials join delegation to New York
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to… pic.twitter.com/epM0iR0zr2

— Stanley Nkwocha (@stanleynkwocha_) September 20, 2026