RismadarVoice Reporters
September 30, 2026
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has defended the country’s front-row placement at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, describing it as a significant diplomatic achievement.
Ibrahim spoke on Tuesday during a television interview amid debate over his earlier statement that President Bola Tinubu would be seated close to United States President Donald Trump during the General Assembly.
Tinubu did not attend the gathering in New York, with Vice President Kashim Shettima representing him and leading Nigeria’s delegation.
Ibrahim said circumstances surrounding the seating arrangement changed because Trump did not remain in his designated seat after addressing the General Assembly.
“Did Donald Trump sit in the seat that was provided for him? Did he sit there? He sat in the 27th seat, far away from Nigeria. He didn’t sit there. He came to deliver his lecture to the General Assembly and left from there,” Ibrahim said.
He maintained that Nigeria was assigned the sixth position in the front row, describing the placement as an achievement worthy of recognition.
Ibrahim said his position as chairman of the UN Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions gave him access to information concerning speaking arrangements and other organisational details surrounding the General Assembly.
“I am the chairman of budget and administration, so I am privileged to see the speaking list this year,” he said.
The Nigerian envoy also defended Tinubu’s absence from the General Assembly, arguing that many countries were represented by vice presidents, foreign ministers and other senior officials rather than their heads of state.
According to Ibrahim, more than 60 per cent of those on the speaking list were represented by vice presidents or foreign ministers.
He questioned whether it was necessary for Tinubu to travel to New York solely to deliver a brief address when Vice President Shettima could represent Nigeria.
“You have to thank me and commend my effort. I said Nigeria will be in the front seat; was Nigeria not in the front seat?” Ibrahim said.
He added that Nigeria’s position should be considered independently of Tinubu’s decision not to attend the gathering.
“Do you think it is easy for a country to sit at number six in the front row? Don’t you know it is a country sitting at number 193 and your country is sitting at number six?” he said.
Shettima delivered Nigeria’s national statement at the General Assembly on behalf of Tinubu and participated in several high-level and bilateral engagements during the UNGA session.
Nigeria used the gathering to renew its call for reforms of international institutions, including permanent African representation on the United Nations Security Council.
