The Presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to skip the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, insisting that his absence will not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing or international influence.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Osodi, said Tinubu’s focus was currently on domestic priorities, particularly the economy and security.
Osodi also rejected suggestions that the President’s absence was connected to difficulties travelling to the United States, describing such claims as an “old chestnut.”
He recalled that Tinubu attended the UN General Assembly in person in 2023 and said he had also accompanied the President during a subsequent trip that included a stopover in Los Angeles before travelling to Japan.
“There’s absolutely no impediment,” Osodi said, while arguing that the issue had become political.
Tinubu’s decision means Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA, scheduled for September 22 to 28. Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in bilateral and high-level meetings on issues including economic diplomacy, climate finance and international cooperation.
The Presidency also pointed to Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, as part of the country’s diplomatic representation at the gathering.
However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned Tinubu’s repeated absence, noting that the President also did not attend the 2024 and 2025 UNGA sessions, where Shettima represented him.
Atiku argued that while the Vice President could represent Nigeria, repeated delegation could not fully replace the President’s personal participation at a major diplomatic gathering. He also questioned reports that arrangements had been made for Tinubu to sit near US President Donald Trump during the assembly.
