- Tinubu will address the UN General Assembly on September 23
- He is expected to discuss Nigeria’s reforms and security concerns
- The President may also meet Trump on the sidelines
President Bola Tinubu is expected to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he is scheduled to address world leaders during the General Debate on September 23.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the Nigerian president is listed as the 10th speaker for the morning session on the second day of the high-level debate, according to a provisional programme obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria.
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Tinubu is expected to speak between 11:30 a.m. and noon New York time, which corresponds to about 4:30 p.m. in Nigeria.
The General Debate, scheduled for September 22 to 28 at the UN headquarters, will bring together representatives from all 193 member states. More than 150 heads of state and government are expected to attend, alongside vice presidents, ministers, deputy prime ministers and other senior officials.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is expected to open the debate on September 22, while U.S. President Donald Trump will follow as the leader of the host country.
The theme for this year’s General Assembly is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” The session will be chaired by Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh.
Tinubu’s visit is expected to involve more than his main address, with the Nigerian leader scheduled to participate in a number of high-level meetings, side events and international discussions.
Among the issues expected to feature prominently during the gathering are climate change, rising sea levels, pandemic preparedness and other global challenges.
Tinubu is also expected to meet with outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second and final term in office is due to end on December 31, 2026.
Another anticipated engagement is with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, who is completing her tenure after serving in the position since 2017. Mohammed remains the most senior Nigerian and African official within the UN leadership structure.
However, UN sources indicated that the speaking schedule could still be adjusted depending on the attendance of world leaders.
Nigeria has traditionally secured an early speaking position at the General Assembly, with the country often featuring on the first or second day of the debate.
Tinubu personally attended the 78th UN General Assembly in 2023. Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the following two sessions in 2024 and 2025, delivering the country’s national statements.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has already confirmed that Tinubu will attend this year’s gathering.
According to Ibrahim, the President’s presence will give Nigeria an opportunity to present the economic and institutional reforms being pursued by his administration to the international community.
The ambassador also disclosed that Nigeria intends to use the UN platform to draw greater attention to border security in West Africa.
He described the region’s porous borders as a major security concern and said Nigeria was working with the United Nations on a regional initiative focused on strengthening border policing.
Ibrahim said the Nigerian government would seek additional international backing for the initiative during the General Assembly.
There is also a possibility of a meeting between Tinubu and Trump on the sidelines of the gathering, although no formal details of such an engagement have been confirmed.
The 81st UN General Assembly will officially open on September 8, ahead of the high-level General Debate later in the month.
The annual event provides a platform for world leaders to discuss pressing international matters, including security, climate change, sustainable development, global health and other issues affecting the international community.
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