Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has announced that President Bola Tinubu will attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States, in September, marking his return to the annual gathering after a two-year absence.
Ibrahim disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to him, Tinubu will address the General Assembly, where he is expected to highlight his administration’s economic and fiscal reforms and their impact on Nigeria’s development.
He said the President’s speech has been scheduled for about 10:45 a.m. New York time (3:45 p.m. Nigerian time), enabling Nigerians to watch the address live.
Ibrahim also disclosed that President Tinubu would participate in a number of high-level side events focusing on energy, education and healthcare during the UN meeting.
On the possibility of an interaction between Tinubu and United States President Donald Trump, Ibrahim said the Nigerian leader would be seated in the front row of the General Assembly hall, close to the American President, but declined to confirm whether a bilateral meeting had been scheduled.
A source familiar with the arrangements, however, said the seating proximity could provide an opportunity for both leaders to meet during the event.
Speaking on regional security, Ibrahim said President Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening border security in West Africa through collaboration with the United Nations.
According to him, the President intends to work with the UN on initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges posed by porous borders across the region as part of broader efforts to enhance peace and security.
Ibrahim also disclosed that, in his capacity as Chairman of the United Nations Budget Committee, he would present the organisation’s proposed 2027 budget during the General Assembly session.
President Tinubu’s participation in the 81st UNGA will be his first since assuming office, having delegated Vice-President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025.
The Presidency had said Tinubu skipped the 79th session to focus on domestic issues, particularly the response to severe flooding in parts of the country, while Shettima represented Nigeria at both meetings and delivered the country’s national statements.
