President Bola Tinubu is set to address world leaders during the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA 81, in New York on Wednesday, September 23.
According to a provisional list of speakers obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria, Tinubu is scheduled to be the 10th speaker during the morning session on the second day of the high-level General Debate.
The Nigerian president is expected to speak between 11:30 a.m. and noon New York time, which corresponds to between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Nigerian time.
Tinubu will join representatives from all 193 UN member states at the annual high-level gathering, which provides a platform for world leaders to discuss pressing global challenges. The General Debate will take place from September 22 to September 28 at the UN headquarters in New York.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, confirmed that Tinubu would attend the 2026 UN General Assembly.
Ibrahim said the president’s participation would provide an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase the reforms being implemented by his administration to the international community.
He added that the Nigerian leader would engage international stakeholders on border policing in West Africa, which he described as a major security concern because of the region’s porous borders.
According to the ambassador, Nigeria is working with the United Nations on a regional border-policing initiative and plans to seek broader international support during the General Assembly. Tinubu may also hold a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN gathering.
Trump is scheduled to deliver the second address during the opening day of the General Debate, following Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who traditionally opens the debate.
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The possibility of a meeting between the two leaders would provide an opportunity for discussions on issues of mutual interest and Nigeria-US relations.
The General Assembly is expected to provide Tinubu with several opportunities to participate in high-level meetings, side events and international summits.
His engagements are expected to cover areas including climate action, rising sea levels, pandemic preparedness, sustainable development and international peace and security.
Tinubu is also expected to meet outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026.
He is further expected to meet UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, who has held the position since 2017 and is the most senior African official at the organisation.
The theme of the 81st General Assembly is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” The session will be presided over by Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh.
Nigeria has traditionally enjoyed a prominent position in the General Debate speaking schedule, often securing a slot on the first or second day.
Tinubu personally attended the 78th UN General Assembly in 2023, while Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025.
Shettima delivered Nigeria’s national statement during those sessions and retained Nigeria’s early speaking slots, a position attributed to diplomatic efforts by the country’s Permanent Mission to the UN.
The UN General Assembly session will formally open on September 8, while the high-level General Debate will begin on September 22.
The annual gathering brings together heads of state, government leaders, ministers and senior officials to deliberate on major international issues and strengthen cooperation among member states.
NAN
