TINUBU TO ADDRESS UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN SEPTEMBER

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu will attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this September, where he is expected to address world leaders on Nigeria’s reform agenda.

Ibrahim made this known on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, Tinubu has accepted the invitation to attend the annual global gathering and will use the platform to highlight the administration’s reform achievements.

“The President has generously agreed to attend the UNGA meeting of the United Nations.

“It is significant because Mr President has a speech to give to the whole world about the reform success in Nigeria, and that has been slated for September.

“So Nigeria will be effectively present at UNGA,” Ibrahim said.

He disclosed that the President’s address is scheduled for about 10:45 a.m. New York time (approximately 3:45 p.m. Nigerian time), allowing Nigerians to watch the speech live.

Ibrahim also revealed that Tinubu would participate in several high-level side events focusing on power and energy, education, and hospital management.

“There are side events for Mr President to attend, which include meetings on power and energy issues.

“There is another side event on education, as well as hospital management.

“But we don’t want to crowd the itinerary, so we discussed that graciously,” he said.

Speaking on Nigeria’s regional security priorities, Ibrahim said Tinubu had reiterated his commitment to strengthening border policing across West Africa through collaboration with the United Nations.

He noted that the President intends to advocate for a regional border security framework aimed at addressing the challenges posed by porous borders.

“The President also reaffirmed his commitment to border policing. This time around, the President will be working with the United Nations to look into the West African border, which is porous.

“A lot of peacekeeping effort is coming in here, and I will be going back to the UN to inform everyone about the decision to take West Africa as a case study of border policing and ensure our security is well guaranteed,” he said.

On the possibility of a meeting between Tinubu and United States President Donald Trump during the UNGA, Ibrahim said he could not confirm any formal engagement but disclosed that both leaders would be seated close to each other in the front row of the General Assembly Hall.

“I won’t be able to tell you that there will be a meeting, but I can tell you clearly that President Tinubu will be sitting very, very close to Donald Trump in the front row of the United Nations General Assembly.

“That you can get from me. Don’t ask me how that was arranged, but Mr President of Nigeria will be sitting in the front row,” he said.

A source familiar with the seating arrangements, however, said the proximity could provide an opportunity for a chance meeting between the two leaders, who have not previously met publicly.

Ibrahim also disclosed that, in his capacity as Chairman of the UN Budget Committee, he would present the United Nations’ 2027 budget during the General Assembly, a role he said further underscores Nigeria’s growing influence within the global body.

Tinubu’s attendance at the 81st UNGA would end a two-year absence from the world’s most prominent diplomatic gathering.

At the 79th UNGA in September 2024, the Presidency said Tinubu chose to focus on domestic matters, particularly in the aftermath of devastating flooding across multiple Nigerian states.

He directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation and deliver the national statement.

At UNGA 79, Shettima delivered Nigeria’s national statement and attended key side events.

The President also delegated Shettima to attend the 80th UNGA in September 2025, where the Vice President again represented Nigeria in New York.

In the national statement delivered on behalf of Tinubu at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, the President warned that the UN’s credibility was being undermined by the gulf between its words and deeds.

He also sought to position Nigeria’s economic transformation as a model for developing nations.

On October 31, 2025, President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over the persecution of Christians by violent Islamist groups.

The White House announced that the United States would “stand ready, willing and able” to defend them.

Trump wrote on social media that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria” and that “thousands of Christians are being killed” by radical Islamists. Critics warned that the designation could pave the way for future sanctions.

Tinubu subsequently said his administration was willing to work with the United States to improve security in the country.