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, as Vice President Kashim Shettima travelled to the United States to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual gathering.
Atiku, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, on Sunday, described Tinubu’s absence as his third consecutive absence from the UNGA since 2024 and demanded an explanation from the President.
The criticism followed the Presidency’s announcement that Tinubu had mandated Shettima to represent him at the General Assembly, where the Vice President is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level and bilateral meetings.
The announcement ended weeks of speculation over whether Tinubu would personally attend the annual gathering of world leaders.
Nigeria’s envoy to the United Nations, Amb Jimoh Ibrahim, had in July said the President would personally attend the 81st UNGA, saying that provisions had been made for him to sit close to Donald Trump, his American counterpart.
But Tinubu departed Abuja for a three-week vacation in Europe on August 30, with London as his first destination, before proceeding to France.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, the Presidency said Shettima would lead the Nigerian delegation.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York, United States.
“VP Shettima will lead a high-level delegation comprising Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State; Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State; ministers and other senior government officials,” the statement said.
The 81st UNGA General Debate is scheduled for September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
At the General Debate, the statement said: “Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s position and priorities on major global issues with implications for national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.”
It added, “The Vice President will also participate in high-level meetings during the UNGA week, including engagements on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and the African continent.
“Senator Shettima is also expected to join other world leaders at the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and participate in a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.”
According to the statement, the engagements would provide Nigeria with an opportunity to advance Tinubu’s economic diplomacy, deepen strategic partnerships and strengthen the country’s voice on reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his engagements in New York.
Speaking on the development, Amb Ibrahim assured that the country would be adequately represented despite Tinubu’s absence.
Ibrahim said more than 60 per cent of those listed to speak at the ongoing UNGA were being represented by either their vice presidents or foreign ministers.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Nigerian Mission to the United Nations in New York and posted on his Facebook page, he said Nigeria would retain its designated position at the UNGA, including its front-row seat, with Vice President Shettima representing Tinubu.
Ibrahim, who is also Chairman of the UN Committee on Budget and Administration, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and other senior government officials would join Shettima at the high-level session.
According to him, it was not unusual for countries to delegate representation to senior government officials when their presidents were unable to attend.
“The Vice President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are adequately positioned to represent Nigeria at the General Assembly and participate fully in the diplomatic engagements surrounding the session.”