Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to stay away from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, demanding an explanation for his absence.
Tinubu has delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual gathering of world leaders, with the high-level General Debate scheduled for September 22 to 28, 2026.
Shettima departed Nigeria on Sunday and arrived in New York ahead of the opening of the high-level session, which is being held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described Tinubu’s absence as his third consecutive non-attendance at the UN General Assembly since assuming office.
Tinubu attended the 78th UNGA in 2023 but was represented by Shettima at the 79th session in 2024 and the 80th in 2025. Shettima is again representing him at this year’s gathering.
Atiku argued that the UNGA provides heads of government with an important platform to advance national interests, attract investment, strengthen trade partnerships, mobilise development financing and engage directly with other world leaders on major international issues.
While acknowledging that Shettima could effectively represent Nigeria, Atiku said repeated presidential absence could not substitute for the visibility and diplomatic engagement that comes with the personal participation of a head of state.
He also questioned whether Tinubu’s past legal history in the United States had any connection with his decision not to attend this year’s meeting.
However, no official statement has linked Tinubu’s absence to any restriction on his ability to travel to the United States.
The Presidency has rejected such suggestions.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Osodi, said there was no impediment to Tinubu travelling to the US, noting that the President had visited the country previously.
Osodi maintained that Tinubu’s absence would not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing or its participation in global affairs, describing the controversy as political.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, also defended the decision, saying it was not unusual for countries to delegate senior officials when their presidents could not attend.
Ibrahim said Nigeria would retain its designated position at the General Assembly, with Shettima and Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu participating in high-level diplomatic engagements.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and hold bilateral meetings during the UNGA week.
According to the Presidency, his engagements will focus on economic diplomacy, strengthening strategic partnerships and advancing Nigeria’s interests on global financial reform, sustainable development and climate finance.
The Vice President said Nigeria’s participation would be guided by national interest and the country’s commitment to multilateralism.
The Nigerian delegation also includes Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
The 81st UN General Assembly is expected to bring together representatives of the UN’s 193 member states to discuss issues including global security, climate change, development, artificial intelligence and reforms to multilateral institutions.