President Bola Tinubu may not travel to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), despite earlier preparations suggesting that he would attend the high-level meeting.
This was made known by a source close to the Presidency.
“Tinubu will not be attending the UN General Assembly,” Sahara Reporters quoted the source.
No reason was given for the reported change.
The development comes after Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, had publicly indicated that Tinubu would be present at the meeting.
Ibrahim had said the president had given his word that he would attend the September gathering, adding that Nigeria was preparing to use the occasion to discuss issues affecting the country and the West African region.
“The president was able to give us his word. Now, he will come to UNGA this September,” Ibrahim had said.
He also disclosed that Nigeria planned to engage the international community on a proposed regional border-policing initiative, with the country seeking greater support from the United Nations and other partners.
“So, border policing will be fine. These are the kind of things that the UN is established for,” he said.
A provisional speaking schedule circulated by the United Nations had also listed Tinubu as the 10th speaker for the morning session of the second day of the high-level General Debate on Wednesday, September 23. His address was expected around 11:30am to noon in New York, corresponding to about 4:30pm to 5pm Nigerian time.
The 81st session of the UN General Assembly opened on September 8, while the high-level General Debate is scheduled to run from September 22 to 28 under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
Should Tinubu ultimately stay away from the meeting, Vice President Kashim Shettima would be expected to represent Nigeria, having previously attended the UNGA on the president’s behalf.
Shettima represented Tinubu at both the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025 and delivered Nigeria’s national statements on those occasions. Tinubu himself attended the 78th UNGA in 2023.
Ibrahim had also disclosed that Tinubu could use the New York visit to hold discussions with other world leaders, including a possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump.
The reported change comes as Tinubu continues a series of international engagements following his recent trip outside Nigeria. He left Abuja on August 30 for a three-week annual leave, which the Presidency described as a working vacation, and visited London and France during the period.
French President Emmanuel Macron also hosted Tinubu for a private dinner at the Élysée Palace during the president’s stay in France.
“Our conversation reaffirmed the strong friendship between Nigeria and France, as well as our shared commitment to deepening cooperation and building a mutually beneficial partnership between our two nations,” Tinubu said after the meeting.
“I thank President Macron for his warm hospitality and friendship,” he added.
Nigeria has also received an invitation from Singapore, according to Ibrahim, who said Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Burhan Gafoor, visited Nigeria’s Permanent Mission and delivered an invitation from Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
Questions had also been raised in recent weeks over the president’s planned international engagements. A United States-based policy advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, had previously made claims about Tinubu’s possible engagements in the United States and alleged that his planned appearance at the UNGA could expose him to political embarrassment.
Those claims included allegations concerning an old United States investigation and possible diplomatic engagements involving Tinubu. The firm also claimed that a private meeting between Tinubu and Trump would not take place. However, those assertions remain claims by the firm and have not been established as facts.
The firm was contracted by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in March under a 12-month agreement valued at $1.2 million for advocacy and diplomatic outreach.