President Tinubu to Join World Leaders at 80th UN General Assembly

By: Aremu Toyeebaht

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to address world leaders at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Wednesday, September 24.

A revised provisional list of speakers obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shows that President Tinubu will take the podium on the second day of the high-level General Debate, scheduled to speak during the afternoon session at about 8:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. Nigerian time).

Tinubu will be the 17th world leader to deliver an address that day, joining a roster of 195 global leaders that includes 98 heads of state, five vice presidents, 44 heads of government, four deputy prime ministers, 37 ministers, one crown prince, and four delegation chairs.

UN sources told NAN that while the speaking schedule is provisional and subject to change, Tinubu is expected to participate in person ,unlike in 2024 when Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented him and spoke on the opening day.

The 2024 appearance was described by diplomats as “highly unusual”, given that UN tradition typically reserves the opening two days for heads of state, with vice presidents and other officials speaking from the third day onward. Nigeria’s ability to maintain its prime slot was widely attributed to the country’s strong goodwill within the international community and the deft maneuvering of its diplomats at the UN.

Tinubu’s presence at this year’s debate is expected to reaffirm Nigeria’s voice on pressing global issues, including peace, security, climate change, and economic development.