President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Shettima will lead a high-level Nigerian delegation that includes Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
The 81st UN General Assembly’s high-level week is taking place in New York, with the General Debate scheduled from September 22 to 28, 2026. The session is being held under the theme: “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”
The UN says nearly 130 Heads of State and Government are expected to attend the high-level week in person. UN officials had also projected about 73 heads of state, 45 heads of government, 49 ministers, 11 vice-presidents and one crown prince among participants, although those figures can change as delegations are confirmed.
What Shettima Will Discuss
At the General Debate, Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s priorities on issues including economic development, peace and security, sustainable development, climate action and international cooperation.
The Vice President is also expected to participate in high-level meetings focusing on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and Africa.
He is expected to hold bilateral meetings with heads of government, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
For Nigeria, the engagements are expected to provide an opportunity to advance the Tinubu administration’s economic diplomacy, attract strategic partnerships and push issues including global financial architecture reform, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.
UNGA 81: A World Body Seeking to Rebuild Trust
The 81st session opened on September 8 under the leadership of Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh, who was elected president of the General Assembly in June.
The UN says the session is focused on restoring confidence in multilateral cooperation amid conflicts, humanitarian crises, climate emergencies, inequality and other global challenges. Its programme also includes priorities around peace and security, development, climate, digital governance and UN reform.
US Visa Controversy Adds Tension
The high-level meeting is also taking place against a backdrop of controversy over U.S. entry restrictions affecting some foreign delegations.
Washington has announced that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and a core Iranian delegation will be permitted to attend, with restrictions on their movements in the United States. Reuters reported that the decision is linked to U.S. obligations under the 1947 UN headquarters agreement.
At the same time, the United States has denied a visa to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the second consecutive year and extended visa restrictions affecting Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization officials.
The UN General Assembly subsequently voted to allow Abbas to address the gathering by video, with the resolution passing 152 votes to three, with four abstentions, according to Reuters.
The contrasting decisions have added another diplomatic issue to an already closely watched UNGA, where leaders are expected to address conflicts, international cooperation, climate action and sustainable development.
For Nigeria, Shettima’s participation will put the country’s positions and diplomatic priorities before a broad gathering of world leaders and international institutions.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria after concluding his engagements in New York.
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