President Bola Tinubu will address world leaders at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
According to a provisional speakers list obtained by NAN, Tinubu is scheduled as the 10th speaker on the morning of day two. The general debate runs from Sept. 22 to Sept. 28 at UN headquarters.
He is expected to speak between 11:30am and 12:00pm New York time, 4:30pm Nigerian time. The lineup will feature 193 countries, including more than 150 heads of state and government, plus vice presidents, deputy prime ministers and senior officials.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will open the debate on Sept. 22, followed by U.S. President Donald Trump as host.
This year’s theme is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” The session will be presided over by Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh.
Beyond the national statement, Tinubu’s week is expected to be packed with side events and summits on climate action, sea-level rise and pandemic preparedness.
Diplomatic sources say he will hold a high-level meeting with outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term ends Dec. 31, 2026. He is also slated to meet outgoing Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed of Nigeria, the most senior African at the UN since 2017.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim, confirmed Tinubu’s attendance. He said the president will use the platform to highlight domestic reforms and push for international support on regional border policing in West Africa, which he described as a major security challenge.
Jimoh added that a sideline meeting with President Trump is possible.
Speaking slots can still change depending on attendance, but Nigeria has historically secured early-day positions. Tinubu attended the 78th UNGA in person in 2023. Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025, and retained the country’s day-one slot.
The 81st UNGA opens Sept. 8. The annual gathering brings together heads of state and government to discuss climate change, sustainable development, and international peace and security.
