Tinubu to attend UN General Assembly after two-year absence

President Bola Tinubu will attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this September, ending a two-year absence from the annual global gathering.

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, disclosed this on Wednesday after meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to Ibrahim, Tinubu has accepted the invitation to attend the session, where he is expected to address world leaders on Nigeria’s economic reforms and the progress of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said the President’s speech has been scheduled for about 10:45 a.m. New York time (3:45 p.m. Nigerian time), allowing Nigerians to follow the address live.

Ibrahim also revealed that Tinubu would participate in several high-level side events focusing on energy, education and healthcare during the assembly.

On security, he said the President reaffirmed his commitment to tackling porous borders in West Africa and would work with the United Nations to promote a regional border policing framework aimed at strengthening security across the sub-region.

Speaking on the possibility of an encounter between Tinubu and United States President Donald Trump, Ibrahim said he could not confirm a bilateral meeting but disclosed that both leaders would be seated in close proximity during the General Assembly.

A source familiar with the UN seating arrangements said the two presidents are expected to sit only a few seats apart in the front row, increasing the likelihood of an informal meeting during the event.

Ibrahim also disclosed that he would present the United Nations’ 2027 budget in his capacity as Chairman of the UN Budget Committee.

Tinubu’s participation marks his first appearance at the UN General Assembly since assuming office in 2023. He delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria at the 2024 and 2025 sessions while he remained in the country to focus on domestic priorities.