Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, is set to deliver the country’s national statement at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Shettima’s appearance will mark the third consecutive year he has represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the high-level General Debate of the UN General Assembly.
According to an updated provisional speakers’ schedule, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nigeria is listed as the fourth speaker in Thursday afternoon’s session.
The afternoon session is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. New York time, with Shettima expected to take the podium between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., corresponding to approximately 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Nigerian time.
The Vice-President is expected to use the opportunity to present Nigeria’s position on major international issues while highlighting the country’s priorities and interests before the international community.
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Shettima Represents Tinubu Again
President Tinubu had initially been listed as the eighth speaker for the Wednesday morning session of the General Debate, after his position was moved from the 10th slot.
However, the Presidency announced on Sunday that the President had directed Vice-President Shettima to once again lead Nigeria’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly.
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Under UN protocol, presidents are generally given speaking priority at the high-level General Debate ahead of vice-presidents, prime ministers and ministers.
Shettima previously represented President Tinubu at the 79th UN General Assembly in 2024 and again delivered Nigeria’s national statement during the 80th session in 2025.
President Tinubu personally addressed the 78th General Assembly in September 2023, shortly after assuming office.
High-Level Nigerian Delegation
The Presidency said Shettima will lead a high-level Nigerian delegation comprising Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
According to Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice-President, Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement and communicate the country’s positions on key international matters.
Beyond his address to the General Assembly, the Vice-President is expected to participate in several high-level meetings focusing on issues considered strategically important to Nigeria and the African continent.
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He is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the Assembly.
81st UN General Assembly
The 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly opened on Tuesday, September 22, and the high-level General Debate is scheduled to continue through Saturday, September 26, before the session concludes on Monday, September 28.
The theme for this year’s session is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all.”
The session is being presided over by Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh, President of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly.
The annual General Debate provides heads of state, heads of government and other senior representatives from around the world an opportunity to present their countries’ priorities and positions on pressing global issues.
The United Nations General Assembly comprises 193 member states, with each member having equal representation in the organisation’s principal deliberative and policymaking body.
With Shettima’s latest assignment, the Vice-President will have represented President Tinubu at the UN General Assembly’s high-level gathering in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
