The Presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision not to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, saying his absence will not affect Nigeria’s role on the international stage.
Tinubu has mandated Vice-President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the gathering, marking the third consecutive year that the President will not personally attend the UNGA.
The decision has attracted criticism from some quarters, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who has called on Tinubu to explain his continued absence from the major diplomatic gathering.
However, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Osodi, said Tinubu was focused on domestic priorities, including the economy and security.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Osodi said Nigeria’s international interests extended beyond the United Nations, noting the country’s involvement in regional, continental and South-South groupings, including BRICS.
He said Nigeria’s position in Africa would not be diminished by the President’s absence from the General Assembly.
“With or without his presence there will not change Nigeria’s role as giant of Africa, the leader of the economic resurgence of Africa,” Osodi said.
The presidential aide added that Nigeria would still be adequately represented at the UNGA, pointing to the presence of the country’s new Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim.
Presidency dismisses claims over US relations
Osodi also rejected suggestions that Tinubu’s decision not to attend the UNGA was linked to problems between the Nigerian President and the United States.
Describing the claim as an “old chestnut”, he recalled accompanying Tinubu during an earlier visit to the US, when the President attended the UN General Assembly and participated in meetings in New York.
He also cited a more recent trip during which the Nigerian delegation transited through Los Angeles while travelling to Japan.
“We were in America, I was there with them. So it is politics, we can talk about this every single election cycle, it is just politics,” Osodi said.
Atiku questions repeated absence
Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said Tinubu’s absence from the 79th UNGA in 2024, the 80th in 2025 and now the 81st session in 2026 required an explanation.
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, acknowledged that Shettima could represent Nigeria but argued that repeated delegation could not substitute for the President’s personal presence and visibility at a major international gathering.
“The United Nations General Assembly is one of the world’s most important diplomatic gatherings,” Atiku said.
He noted that the forum brings together representatives of the UN’s 193 member states and provides an opportunity for national leaders to advance their countries’ interests, negotiate partnerships and engage on issues including trade, security and development.
Atiku also argued that the General Assembly offered opportunities for leaders to hold bilateral meetings, pursue investment and trade partnerships, mobilise development financing and discuss matters affecting their countries.
While the Presidency maintains that Nigeria will be adequately represented by the Vice-President and other officials, Atiku has continued to question the decision for Tinubu to miss the gathering for a third consecutive year.
