Tinubu Reportedly Pulls Out of UNGA 81 Trip, Leaving Nigeria’s New York Plans in Sudden Plot Twist

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will reportedly not attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, according to a source cited by SaharaReporters on September 18. The development represents a major change from earlier plans in which Nigeria had publicly indicated that the President would attend and address world leaders on September 23.

The reported U-turn has already added a fresh chapter to what Nigerians may jokingly describe as the “UNGA itinerary that refused to stay still.” With the high-level General Debate scheduled for September 22–28 and Nigeria previously preparing for Tinubu’s appearance, the question now is who will carry the country’s microphone to New York.

Tinubu Pulls Out of UNGA 81 Trip, Presidency Source Says

Earlier in July, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, said Tinubu had confirmed that he would attend the UNGA. A provisional programme later listed the Nigerian President as the 10th speaker on the morning of September 23, with his address expected around 11:30 a.m. to noon New York time.

But the latest report has apparently turned that carefully arranged schedule upside down. SaharaReporters quoted a Presidency source as saying Tinubu would not attend, although the source did not give a reason for the change. So, while the timetable may have had Tinubu’s name comfortably sitting inside it, reality has reportedly decided to edit the programme without consulting the timetable.

Tinubu Change Plan Shettima Could Once Again Carry Nigeria’s UNGA Baton

If Tinubu ultimately stays away, Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to represent Nigeria, following his attendance on the President’s behalf at the 79th and 80th UNGA sessions in 2024 and 2025. Tinubu himself attended the 78th session in 2023.

The reported change is also notable because the UNGA is one of the biggest annual diplomatic gatherings, with this year’s discussions expected to cover issues ranging from international security and climate concerns to artificial intelligence and global cooperation. The official theme for the 81st session is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

For now, the Presidency has not publicly provided a reason for the reported decision in the sources reviewed. Earlier reports had already raised questions about whether Tinubu would travel to New York, while other reports had linked the uncertainty to security concerns and planned demonstrations; those explanations remain attributed claims rather than established fact.

As the diplomatic countdown continues, Nigeria’s UNGA plans have suddenly become a story of “attendance confirmed, schedule prepared, then plot twist.” Whether Tinubu eventually stays away and Shettima takes the official assignment will become clearer as the General Debate approaches, so readers should watch OGM News NG for further updates on this developing story.