President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York next week, according to a source close to the Presidency.
The development represents a reversal of earlier plans for the Nigerian president to personally attend the annual gathering of world leaders and deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
SaharaReporters reported on Friday, September 18, 2026, that a senior source close to the Presidency confirmed Tinubu would not travel to New York for the high-level UNGA meetings.
“Tinubu will not be attending the UN General Assembly,” the source reportedly said.
The source, however, did not disclose the reason for the reported change in the President’s plans.
Tinubu Had Earlier Confirmed Attendance
The reported decision comes about two months after Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, publicly announced that Tinubu had committed to attending the 81st UNGA.
In July, Ibrahim told State House correspondents that the President had agreed to participate in the September gathering.
“The president was able to give us his word. Now he will come to UNGA this September,” Ibrahim said at the time.
Reports at the time indicated that Tinubu was expected to address the General Debate and participate in several high-level side events covering issues including energy, education, healthcare and regional security.
Tinubu Was Listed to Address the Assembly
According to the latest report, a provisional speakers’ list obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria had placed Tinubu as the 10th speaker during the morning session on Wednesday, September 23.
He was expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at approximately 11:30 a.m. to noon New York time, equivalent to about 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Nigerian time.
His reported withdrawal therefore means Nigeria’s representation at the General Debate could change from the arrangement previously announced.
Shettima May Represent Nigeria
A report published by Africa Intelligence on September 16 had already indicated that Vice President Kashim Shettima was expected to deliver Nigeria’s address at the 81st UNGA, unless there was a last-minute change in plans.
Shettima represented Tinubu at the 79th and 80th sessions of the General Assembly in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Tinubu himself attended the 78th UNGA in 2023.
UNGA High-Level Week Begins Next Week
The United Nations has scheduled the high-level week of the 81st General Assembly for September 2026, with the General Debate running from September 22 to 28 at UN Headquarters in New York.
The UN describes the General Debate as the annual forum where heads of state, heads of government and other high-level representatives present their countries’ positions and priorities on major international issues.
The UN’s official programme confirms that the 81st General Assembly’s high-level meetings will take place in New York beginning next week.
No Official Reason Yet
As of the latest reports reviewed for this story, no reason has been publicly given for Tinubu’s reported decision not to attend, and the claim is based primarily on a source cited by SaharaReporters.
This is particularly notable because the President’s attendance had previously been publicly announced by Nigeria’s UN ambassador.
This Dawn News will continue to monitor developments and update this report if the Presidency issues an official statement confirming or explaining the change.
