Tinubu to Attend 81st UN General Assembly in September
President Bola Tinubu has confirmed that he 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 global gathering after a two-year absence.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, disclosed this on Wednesday after meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said Tinubu’s address to the General Assembly would focus on Nigeria’s reform agenda and economic progress, with the speech scheduled for about 10:45 a.m. New York time (3:45 p.m. Nigerian time), allowing Nigerians to watch it live.
Ibrahim also revealed that President Tinubu would participate in several high-level side events on energy, education and healthcare during the summit.
He added that the President had reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening border security across West Africa and would work with the United Nations to advance a regional border policing framework aimed at tackling insecurity and improving peacekeeping efforts.
On the possibility of a meeting with United States President Donald Trump, Ibrahim said he could not confirm any formal engagement but disclosed that Tinubu would be seated in the front row of the General Assembly hall, just a few seats away from the American leader.
A source familiar with the seating arrangement said the proximity could provide an opportunity for the two presidents to meet during the summit, although no official bilateral meeting has been announced.
Tinubu last attended the UN General Assembly in 2023. He delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025, citing domestic priorities, including responses to devastating floods.
Ibrahim also announced that, as Chairman of the UN Budget Committee, he would present the organisation’s 2027 budget during this year’s General Assembly.