Tinubu to Address UNGA 81 on September 23

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will join world leaders to address the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) General Debate in New York on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

According to a provisional list of speakers obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Tinubu is scheduled to be the 10th speaker during the morning session on the second day of the high-level debate.

The Nigerian President is expected to deliver his address between 11:30 a.m. and noon New York time, which is between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Nigerian time.

The high-level General Debate will take place from September 22 to 28 at the UN headquarters, bringing together representatives of all 193 member states, including more than 150 heads of state and government.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is expected to open the debate on September 22, followed by U.S. President Donald Trump as the host-country leader.

The theme of the 81st session is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” The session will be presided over by Bangladesh’s Khalilur Rahman.

Tinubu’s Expected Engagements

Tinubu is expected to participate in several high-level meetings, side events and summits focusing on climate action, sea-level rise and pandemic preparedness.

He is also expected to meet with outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term expires on December 31, 2026.

The Nigerian President may also meet with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, who has occupied the position since 2017 and is set to leave office alongside Guterres.

UN sources, however, said speaking arrangements could still change depending on the attendance of world leaders.

Nigeria has traditionally secured prominent speaking slots during the first or second day of the General Debate.

Nigeria to Push Border Security

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, confirmed Tinubu’s attendance at the 2026 UNGA.

Ibrahim said the President’s participation would provide an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase the reforms being implemented by his administration.

The ambassador also disclosed that Tinubu would use the platform to engage international stakeholders on border security in West Africa, describing the region’s porous borders as a major security challenge.

“So, border policing will be fine. These are the kind of things that the UN is established for,” Ibrahim said.

According to him, the Federal Government is collaborating with the UN on a regional border-policing initiative and will seek wider international support for the programme during the assembly.

Ibrahim also disclosed that Tinubu could meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the event.

Tinubu Returns After 2023 Appearance

Tinubu attended the 78th UN General Assembly in person in 2023.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025 respectively, while delivering Nigeria’s national statements.

The 81st session of the UN General Assembly will formally open on September 8, while the high-level General Debate will hold from September 22 to 28.

The annual gathering provides a platform for world leaders to deliberate on major global issues, including climate change, sustainable development, international peace and security.