Rivers Governor Fubara and Zamfara Governor Lawal join the delegation, as Tinubu skips his own third consecutive General Assembly.
Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA) in New York, marking the third consecutive year he has represented the country at the annual gathering.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, said President Bola Tinubu had mandated Shettima to represent him at the event.
Who’s in Nigeria’s delegation
Nkwocha said the federal government delegation would include Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State; Dauda Lawal, Governor of Zamfara State; ministers; and other senior government officials.
The 81st UNGA General Debate runs from 22 to 28 September under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
What Shettima is expected to do in New York
At the General Debate, Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s position and priorities on major global issues with implications for national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
“The Vice President will also participate in high-level meetings during the UNGA week, including engagements on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and the African continent,” the statement read.
Nkwocha said Shettima is also expected to join other world leaders at the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and participate in a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
“The engagements will provide Nigeria an opportunity to advance President Tinubu’s economic diplomacy, deepen strategic partnerships and strengthen the country’s voice on reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation,” the statement added.
Shettima is scheduled to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his engagements in New York.
A pattern stretching back to 2024
This will be the third time Shettima has led Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA. He delivered the country’s national statement at the 79th session in 2024 and again at the 80th session in 2025.
Tinubu’s last personal appearance at the UN General Assembly was in 2023, meaning the vice president has now represented Nigeria at the podium for three consecutive years while the president has remained at home for each of the last two General Debates.
