Subscribe: Gist E-Paper
President Bola Tinubu will address world leaders at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 23, where he is expected to present Nigeria's position on key global and regional issues.
According to the provisional programme of the high-level General Debate, Tinubu is scheduled as the 10th speaker during the morning session of the second day of the gathering, with his address expected between 11:30 a.m. and noon New York time (4:30 p.m. Nigerian time).
The General Debate, which runs from September 22 to 28 at the UN headquarters, will bring together representatives of the organisation's 193 member states, including more than 150 heads of state and government, senior ministers and other top officials.
As is customary, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is expected to deliver the opening address, followed by United States President Donald Trump.
The 81st session of the General Assembly, to be presided over by Bangladesh's Khalilur Rahman, has the theme: “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”
Beyond his address, Tinubu is expected to participate in several high-level meetings, side events and summits focusing on climate action, sea-level rise, pandemic preparedness and other pressing global challenges.
The President is also expected to hold bilateral meetings, including with outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026.
He may also meet the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, who is concluding her tenure after serving in the position since 2017.
Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, confirmed the President's participation, saying it would provide an opportunity to showcase the administration's reforms before the international community.
According to the ambassador, Tinubu will also engage global leaders on regional security, particularly the challenge of policing West Africa's porous borders.
Ibrahim said Nigeria was working with the United Nations on a regional border-policing initiative aimed at improving security and tackling cross-border crimes.
He further disclosed that the President could meet with United States President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
The 81st session of the UN General Assembly will officially open on September 8, while the high-level General Debate is scheduled for September 22 to 28.
