President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with Vice President Kashim Shettima set to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the global meeting.
The Presidency confirmed the development on Sunday after weeks of speculation over whether Tinubu would personally attend the annual gathering of world leaders.
The likely absence of the President became noticeable after the Presidency announced that Tinubu would return to Nigeria following his three week vacation in Europe.
The development also contradicted an earlier statement by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, who had said Tinubu would attend the 81st UNGA.
Ibrahim had said arrangements had been made for Tinubu to sit close to United States President Donald Trump during the gathering.
Despite the earlier indication, the Presidency remained silent on whether Tinubu would eventually travel to New York.
That uncertainty ended on Sunday when Stanley Nkwocha, spokesman to Vice President Shettima, announced that Tinubu had directed the Vice President to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation.
Shettima will lead a high level delegation comprising Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
The 81st UNGA General Debate will hold from September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme, Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s position and priorities on major global issues affecting national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
The Vice President will also participate in high level meetings covering the Right to Development, climate action and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and the African continent.
He is expected to attend the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and hold bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
The Federal Government said 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.
Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after completing his engagements in New York.
Tinubu’s decision not to attend the UNGA comes as renewed attention focuses on a decades old US investigation involving the President and the continued demand for the release of related FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration records.
The records are at the centre of a Freedom of Information Act case in the United States.
American transparency activist Aaron Greenspan has sought access to records held by US agencies concerning investigations involving Tinubu in the early 1990s.
The requested material includes FBI records and documents relating to an investigation from that period, as well as records connected to a 1993 civil forfeiture proceeding involving about $460,000.
The FBI has confirmed in court filings that Tinubu was a subject of an investigation involving the FBI and DEA in the early 1990s. The agency said the investigation involved multiple individuals and alleged drug trafficking offences.
Tinubu has denied wrongdoing in connection with the matter.
The President’s legal team has opposed the release of some of the requested records, arguing that further disclosure could violate his privacy rights.
The FBI and DEA have also maintained that some records or portions of records can be withheld or redacted under US law, including protections relating to grand jury proceedings, law enforcement investigations, confidential sources, investigative methods and personal privacy.
Hundreds of pages of records have already been released, while other portions remain redacted or withheld.
The continuing legal battle has renewed calls for the full release of the remaining records, with those seeking disclosure arguing that the public should have access to the files.
The Presidency has maintained that the current case is a civil Freedom of Information Act dispute concerning access to government records and is not a criminal trial against Tinubu.
The old US investigation and the demand for the records have nevertheless remained a subject of public interest as the court proceedings continue.
Tinubu’s absence from this year’s UN General Assembly means Shettima will represent Nigeria at the global gathering.
It will be the third consecutive UN General Assembly that Tinubu has been absent from since assuming office as President in 2023.
