RismadarVoice Reporters
September 21, 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has explained that President Bola Tinubu is not attending the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York because he is on annual leave, with Vice President Kashim Shettima mandated to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said on Monday that Shettima was representing both the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the high-level gathering.
“President Tinubu is currently on annual leave, and his decision to ask the Vice President to lead Nigeria’s delegation is neither unusual nor a diminution of the country’s diplomatic standing,” Idris said.
Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30 for what the Presidency announced as a three-week vacation in Europe, beginning in London before he later proceeded to France.
The announced three-week period would run to around September 20. However, the Presidency did not announce a specific return date, stating only that Tinubu would return to Abuja after the vacation.
As of September 21, government officials said the President remained on annual leave in France.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the General Assembly and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements.
According to Idris, the Vice President’s activities in New York will focus on Nigeria’s priorities in areas including peace and security, economic development, climate action, sustainable development, international cooperation and reform of the global financial architecture.
“Vice President Shettima carries the full mandate of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the minister said.
“Nigeria will therefore be fully and effectively represented throughout the high-level session.”
The explanation follows public discussion over Tinubu’s absence from the annual gathering of world leaders, particularly after Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, had earlier indicated that the President would personally attend the session.
The 81st UN General Assembly General Debate is scheduled to begin on September 22 under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
