Tinubu’s aide defends third consecutive absence from UN assembly

President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the United Nations General Assembly for a third consecutive year will not diminish Nigeria’s standing on the international stage, a presidential aide has said, as criticism mounts over the decision to again send Vice-President Kashim Shettima to New York.

Tinubu has directed Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, whose high-level general debate is scheduled for 22-28 September. Shettima also represented the president at the 2024 and 2025 sessions.

Ademola Osodi, the senior special assistant to the president on foreign affairs and protocol, defended the decision on Sunday, saying Tinubu was concentrating on domestic priorities, including the economy and security.

Osodi said Nigeria’s diplomatic interests extended beyond the UN to regional, continental and other international organisations, arguing that the president’s physical presence at the assembly was not the sole measure of the country’s international influence.

He said Tinubu’s absence would not alter Nigeria’s position in Africa or its role in international affairs. Osodi also said the country would be adequately represented by Shettima and Nigeria’s permanent representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim.

The comments followed criticism from former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, who called on Tinubu to explain why he had stayed away from the gathering for three consecutive years.

Atiku said Tinubu was absent from the 79th session in 2024 and the 80th in 2025, with Shettima representing him on both occasions. He argued that the president’s latest decision could no longer be regarded simply as routine delegation.

Atiku said the annual gathering offered heads of government opportunities for bilateral meetings and negotiations on trade, investment, security and development, and argued that personal participation by a president could carry diplomatic advantages.

Osodi rejected suggestions raised by Atiku that issues involving Tinubu’s history with US authorities might explain his absence, describing such claims as political.

He pointed to Tinubu’s previous visits to the US, including his attendance at the UN General Assembly in New York in 2023, and said the president had subsequently travelled through Los Angeles on his way to Japan.

The decision for Shettima to attend this year’s gathering represents a change from an earlier indication by Ibrahim, who said in July that Tinubu would personally attend the 81st session.

Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level and bilateral engagements during the assembly.