Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has said the country will retain its designated position at the ongoing 81st United Nations General Assembly despite President Bola Tinubu’s absence.
Ibrahim said Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent Tinubu at the high-level session in New York, adding that more than 60 per cent of speakers listed for the session were being represented by vice presidents or foreign ministers.
The envoy, who chairs the UN Committee on Budget and Administration, said Nigeria’s delegation would participate fully in the General Assembly. He noted that it was normal for countries to delegate representation to senior officials when their presidents were unable to attend.
Tinubu has mandated Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation and deliver the country’s national statement during the General Debate scheduled for September 22 to 28. The debate is themed, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”
Shettima will be accompanied by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and other senior government officials. He is also expected to participate in high-level meetings on development, climate action and other issues affecting Nigeria and Africa.
The Vice President is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners during the UNGA week. The Presidency said the engagements would support Nigeria’s economic diplomacy and efforts to deepen strategic partnerships.
Nigeria is also expected to advance its advocacy for reforms to the global financial architecture, greater access to climate finance and stronger multilateral cooperation. The country has consistently called for developing nations, particularly African countries, to have greater influence in global decision-making.
