President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
Shettima, according to a statement by his Media Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, will lead a delegation comprising Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
The 81st UNGA General Debate is scheduled for September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s position and priorities on issues including national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
He will also participate in high-level meetings on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and Africa.
The Vice President is expected to attend the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and hold bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries, international organisations and development partners.
The engagements are expected to provide an opportunity for Nigeria to advance its economic diplomacy and strengthen partnerships on global financial architecture reform, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Chairman of the North-west Governors’ Forum, Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, are also in New York to present their respective state and regional development initiatives.
Sanwo-Olu, who has been in the United States since last week, is attending what will be his final UNGA as Lagos governor. He has held meetings across several US states, including California, where he signed bilateral understandings focused on shared prosperity.
Radda will lead governors from the seven North-west states in presenting the region’s Peace, Security and Development Framework 2026–2030 to the international community.
The framework will be unveiled at a side event titled, “From Fragility to Opportunity: Locally Led Pathways to Peace, Resilience and Investment in Fragile Contexts.”
According to Radda’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the presentation marks a major step in the North-west Governors’ Forum’s move from regional consultations to a coordinated development agenda.
The framework emerged from efforts by the governors to build consensus around the region’s shared challenges and establish a common approach to peace, security and sustainable development.
The process has been supported by the United Nations system, particularly the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with sustained engagement from UN Deputy Secretary-General, Hajiya Amina J. Mohammed.
The framework is expected to support stronger regional cooperation and partnerships aimed at addressing insecurity, strengthening resilience and accelerating socio-economic development across the North-west.
