Nigeria Set to Speak at UN General Assembly on Thursday

Nigeria will address the UN General Assembly on Thursday afternoon, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima delivering the country's national statement for the third consecutive year.

An updated provisional speakers' schedule obtained, places Nigeria fourth in the afternoon session of the General Debate on September 24. Nigeria's Thursday slot places its statement on the third day of the General Debate — traditionally one of the most closely watched moments of UN high-level week.

The afternoon session begins at 3 p.m. New York time and runs until 9 p.m., with Shettima expected to speak between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. (9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Nigerian time).

President Bola Tinubu was initially scheduled as the eighth speaker on Wednesday morning, having moved up two spots from his previous 10th-place slot. Under UN protocol, presidents are permitted to speak at the high-level General Debate ahead of vice-presidents, prime ministers, and ministers.

President Tinubu directed Shettima on Sunday to once again lead Nigeria's delegation to the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Shettima joins 73 Heads of State, 45 Heads of Government, 49 ministers, 11 vice-presidents, and one crown prince for this year's high-level week.

Third Consecutive Appearance for Shettima

Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice-President, said Shettima would deliver Nigeria's national statement and outline the country's positions on major international issues.

Thursday's appearance will mark the third successive UN General Assembly at which Shettima has represented Tinubu in the General Debate. He previously represented the President at the 79th Session in 2024 and again delivered Nigeria's statement at the 80th Session in 2025. Tinubu personally addressed the 78th Session of the General Assembly in September 2023, just months after assuming office as President. With this latest appearance, Shettima will have represented the President at the annual gathering of world leaders in 2024, 2025, and now 2026.

High-Level Delegation, Bilateral Engagements Expected

The Presidency said the Vice-President would lead a high-level delegation comprising Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers, and other senior officials. Beyond delivering the national statement, Shettima is expected to participate in high-level meetings on issues considered strategically important to Nigeria and Africa, and will hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, international organisations, and development partners on the sidelines of the Assembly.

About the 81st Session

The 81st UN General Debate opens on Tuesday, September 22, and continues through Saturday before concluding on Monday, September 28. The annual debate provides Heads of State, Heads of Government, and other senior representatives an opportunity to outline their national priorities before the international community.

This year's session carries the theme "Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all," and is being presided over by Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh, President of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly. The General Assembly brings together all 193 UN Member States, each with equal representation in the organisation's principal deliberative and policymaking body.