Tinubu may shun UN General Assembly in New York – Fresh details emerge

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President Bola Tinubu may not attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, despite earlier indications that he would participate in the high-level meeting.

A source close to the Presidency reportedly disclosed the development to SaharaReporters, stating, “Tinubu will not be attending the UN General Assembly.”

No reason was given for the reported change in the president’s plans.

The development comes after Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, had publicly confirmed that Tinubu would attend the September gathering.

Ibrahim had said the president gave his word that he would be present, adding that Nigeria was preparing to use the meeting 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,” the envoy had said.

He also disclosed that Nigeria planned to seek international support for a proposed regional border-policing initiative, which he said would be among the issues raised during engagements with the United Nations and other partners.

“So, border policing will be fine. These are the kind of things that the UN is established for,” Ibrahim said.

A provisional speaking schedule circulated by the United Nations had also listed Tinubu as the 10th speaker during the morning session of the second day of the high-level General Debate, scheduled for Wednesday, September 23.

The president’s address was expected between 11:30am and noon in New York, corresponding to approximately 4:30pm to 5pm Nigerian time.

The 81st UN General Assembly session opened on September 8, while the high-level General Debate is scheduled to hold from September 22 to 28 under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

If Tinubu eventually stays away, Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to represent Nigeria at the gathering.

Shettima represented the president at the 79th and 80th sessions of the UN General Assembly in 2024 and 2025, respectively, delivering Nigeria’s national statements on both occasions.

Tinubu personally attended the 78th session in 2023.

Ibrahim had also indicated that Tinubu could use the proposed New York visit to hold bilateral discussions with world leaders, including a possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump.

The reported change in plans comes amid Tinubu’s recent international engagements.

The president left Abuja on August 30 for a three-week annual leave, which the Presidency described as a working vacation. During the period, he visited London and France.

French President Emmanuel Macron also hosted Tinubu to a private dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris.

Reflecting on the meeting, Tinubu said the discussions reaffirmed the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and France and their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.

“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,” he said.

“I thank President Macron for his warm hospitality and friendship,” Tinubu added.

Ibrahim had further disclosed that Nigeria received an invitation from Singapore after the country’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Burhan Gafoor, visited Nigeria’s Permanent Mission and delivered an invitation from Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Tinubu’s planned international engagements have also attracted public attention in recent weeks.

A United States-based policy advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, had previously made claims about the president’s possible engagements in the US and suggested that his planned UNGA appearance could expose him to political embarrassment.

The firm also made allegations concerning an old US investigation and possible diplomatic engagements involving Tinubu, while claiming that a private meeting between the Nigerian president and Trump would not take place.

However, the 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.

As of the reported disclosure, no official explanation had been provided by the Presidency for Tinubu’s possible absence from the UN General Assembly.