By Sandra Kenneth
President Bola Tinubu is set to join over 193 world leaders next month as he prepares to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) General Debate in New York.
According to a provisional speakers’ list released by the United Nations, President Tinubu will speak on Wednesday, September 23, during the morning session of the second day of the high-level debate, which runs from September 22 to 28. He is slated as the 10th speaker, expected to take the podium between 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. New York time (4:30 p.m. Nigerian time).
Following diplomatic tradition, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil will open the debate on September 22, followed by U.S. President Donald Trump representing the host nation. The 81st session, presided over by Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh, is centered around the theme: “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, confirmed the President’s scheduled in-person attendance, noting that it will offer a platform to present the administration’s economic and social reforms to the global community.
Beyond addressing the assembly, President Tinubu is expected to push for international backing on West African regional security. “The President will use the UN platform to engage stakeholders on border policing in West Africa, which remains a critical security challenge,” Ibrahim stated, adding that Nigeria is partnering with the UN on a regional border-policing initiative.
During the week-long summit, President Tinubu will engage in high-level discussions on climate action, pandemic preparedness, and sea-level rise. He is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, both concluding their terms at the end of 2026. A potential side-line meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump is also on the itinerary.
This marks President Tinubu’s return to the UNGA stage in person following his 2023 appearance at the 78th session, after Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025. UN officials noted that while speaking times remain subject to minor adjustments based on attendance, Nigeria continues to hold a prominent early position in the general debate itinerary.
