The Presidency and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, have said President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly will not constitute a diplomatic setback for Nigeria.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said Vice President Kashim Shettima was adequately representing Nigeria at the gathering in New York and would deliver the country’s national statement on Thursday, alongside bilateral and multilateral engagements.
The comments followed criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress, who questioned Tinubu’s absence and suggested it could affect Nigeria’s participation at the global event. The Presidency dismissed the claims as baseless and said Shettima was acting on the President’s mandate.
The Presidency also rejected suggestions that Tinubu stayed away because of possible restrictions on his entry into the United States.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, said there was no impediment to the President travelling to the US, noting his previous visits to the country.
Oshodi argued that a President’s physical attendance at the UNGA should not be the sole measure of diplomatic engagement, saying the focus should be on advancing Nigeria’s interests and securing outcomes for Nigerians. Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, also said many invited leaders would be represented by vice presidents or foreign affairs ministers.
Shettima said Nigeria would use the gathering to push for reforms of global institutions and a fairer international order. The country is expected to renew its campaign for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and advocate reforms to the global financial system, increased climate finance, technology access and stronger African representation.
Several Nigerian governors are also attending the UNGA and are expected to seek foreign investment opportunities. Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara will promote oil and gas opportunities, while Nasarawa’s Abdullahi Sule and Kebbi’s Nasir Idris are expected to highlight solid minerals, as the General Debate runs from September 22 to 28.
