Pres. Tinubu skips UNGA in NY, nominates VP Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation

President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year. Instead, Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead the country’s delegation to the global General Assembly.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu wants to focus on domestic issues, particularly addressing the recent devastating flooding in parts of the country.

Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings during the high-level general debate, scheduled for September 24-28.

The UNGA’s 79th session, themed “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity,” comes after the closure of the 78th session.

UNGA President Philemon Yang (Cameroon) has pledged to perform his duties with loyalty, discretion, and conscience, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged member states to celebrate the achievements of the 78th session and look to the 79th as a moment to deliver trust, solutions, and peace.