Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded an explanation from President Bola Tinubu over his third consecutive absence from the United Nations General Assembly, questioning whether issues surrounding the President’s past legal history in the United States have affected Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement.
Atiku’s comments followed the Presidency’s announcement on Sunday that Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
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 and participate in high-level and bilateral meetings on issues including development, climate action, economic cooperation and international partnerships.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku noted that Tinubu was absent from the 79th UNGA in 2024 and the 80th session in 2025, with Shettima representing him on both occasions.
He argued that the repeated absence had raised questions about Nigeria’s presidential visibility at one of the world’s major diplomatic gatherings.
According to Atiku, while the Vice President could adequately represent the country, presidential participation at UNGA provides an opportunity for direct engagement with other heads of government, investors, international institutions and development partners.
He also questioned reports that Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, had secured a seat for Tinubu close to United States President Donald Trump, despite the President ultimately deciding not to attend.
Atiku further questioned whether Tinubu’s past legal controversies in the United States had any connection with his repeated absence from the UNGA.
He stressed, however, that he was not claiming that Tinubu was legally barred from entering the United States.
Instead, he called on the Presidency to clarify whether there was any legal, diplomatic, medical or personal impediment to the President’s attendance.
Atiku also raised questions over reported spending on American lobbyists, asking why Nigeria would commit substantial resources to lobbying efforts in the United States while the President repeatedly remained absent from the UN gathering in New York.
Meanwhile, a presidential aide has dismissed suggestions that Tinubu’s absence was connected to any problem with the United States.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Osodi, said the suggestion was an “old chestnut,” pointing to Tinubu’s previous travels to the United States.
Osodi also said the President had recently transited through Los Angeles on his way to Japan, arguing that the repeated speculation about an American restriction was political in nature.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, also said the country would remain adequately represented at the General Assembly despite Tinubu’s absence.
Ibrahim said it was not unusual for countries to send vice presidents or foreign ministers when presidents were unable to attend, adding that Shettima and Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu would participate in the high-level session.
The Nigerian delegation to the 81st UNGA includes Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
The Presidency said Shettima’s engagements would focus on advancing Nigeria’s economic diplomacy, strengthening strategic partnerships and promoting the country’s interests on issues including sustainable development, climate finance and reform of the global financial architecture.
Atiku, however, maintained that the Presidency should provide a clear explanation for Tinubu’s continued absence from the annual global gathering, particularly given that this is the third consecutive year he has not personally attended.
He said Nigerians deserved to know whether there was any impediment preventing the President from travelling to the United States or whether the decision was simply a matter of choice.
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