President Bola Tinubu’s third consecutive absence from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will not affect Nigeria’s international role, his Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Osodi, has said.
The Presidency announced on Sunday that Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of UNGA in New York.
The decision has drawn criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who questioned why Tinubu would miss the gathering for a third consecutive year.
Aide defends Tinubu’s absence
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Osodi said Tinubu was concentrating on domestic priorities, including the economy and security.
He argued that Nigeria’s international engagement extended beyond the United Nations, pointing to the country’s involvement in regional, continental and South-South groupings, including BRICS.
“With or without his presence there will not change Nigeria’s role as giant of Africa, the leader of the economic resurgence of Africa,” Osodi said.
He added that Nigeria would still be strongly represented at the UNGA, particularly with the presence of its new Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim.
Presidency dismisses US travel concerns
Osodi also rejected suggestions that Tinubu’s repeated absence from the UNGA was linked to problems with the United States.
Describing the claim as an “old chestnut”, he recalled travelling with Tinubu to the United States during an earlier UNGA visit.
He also cited a more recent trip in which Tinubu’s delegation transited Los Angeles on the way to Japan.
“So it is politics, we can talk about this every single election cycle, it is just politics,” Osodi said.
Atiku questions repeated UNGA absence
Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said Tinubu missed the 79th UNGA in 2024 and the 80th in 2025, with Shettima representing him on both occasions.
He argued that Shettima’s expected representation again in 2026 had turned the pattern into something that required explanation.
Atiku said the UNGA provides world leaders with opportunities to defend national interests, pursue diplomatic engagements, attract investment and trade partnerships, mobilise development financing and address global issues affecting their countries.
He acknowledged that Shettima could represent Nigeria but argued that repeated delegation could not replace the President’s personal presence and authority at a major diplomatic gathering.
