Precious Nwonu, Enugu
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to stay away from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, demanding an explanation for his absence.
Atiku’s criticism followed the decision by Tinubu to mandate Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual gathering of world leaders.
Shettima departed Nigeria for New York on Sunday and arrived ahead of the high-level General Debate, which is scheduled to run 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.”
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described Tinubu’s absence as his third consecutive non-attendance at the UN General Assembly since becoming President.
Tinubu attended the 78th UNGA in 2023, but was represented by Shettima at the 79th session in 2024 and the 80th in 2025. Shettima will now represent him for a third successive year.
Atiku argued that the General Assembly provides heads of government with an important opportunity to advance their countries’ interests, pursue investment and trade partnerships, mobilise development financing and engage other world leaders on international issues.
He said while Shettima could adequately represent Nigeria, repeated delegation could not replace the President’s personal participation and visibility at a major diplomatic gathering.
Atiku also questioned whether Tinubu’s past legal history in the United States had any connection with his decision not to attend this year’s meeting, although no official statement has linked the President’s absence to any restriction on his travel to the US.
The Presidency has rejected suggestions that Tinubu’s absence is connected to any difficulty travelling to the United States.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Osodi, said there was no impediment to Tinubu travelling to the US, pointing to the President’s previous visits to the country.
Osodi said the President’s absence would not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing or its role in international affairs, describing the issue as political.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, also defended the country’s representation, saying it was not unusual for countries to send senior officials when their presidents were unable to attend.
Ibrahim said Nigeria would retain its designated position at the General Assembly, while Shettima and Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu would participate in the high-level diplomatic engagements.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements during the UNGA week.
According to the Presidency, his engagements will focus on advancing Nigeria’s economic diplomacy, strengthening strategic partnerships and promoting the country’s interests on issues including global financial reform, sustainable development and climate finance.
The Vice President, who arrived in New York on Monday, said Nigeria’s participation would be guided by national interest and its commitment to multilateralism.
The Nigerian delegation includes Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
The 81st UN General Assembly is expected to bring together representatives of the UN’s 193 member states for discussions on international issues including global security, climate change, development, artificial intelligence and reform of multilateral institutions.