Nigeria is scheduled to address the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, September 24, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima expected to deliver the country’s national statement.
According to an updated provisional speakers’ schedule obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nigeria is listed as the fourth speaker during the afternoon session of the General Debate.
The session is scheduled to begin at 3pm New York time and end at 9pm. Shettima is expected to speak between 4pm and 4:30pm, which is between 9pm and 9:30pm Nigerian time.
The Vice-President’s appearance will mark the third consecutive year he has represented President Bola Tinubu at the UN General Debate.
Shettima represented Nigeria at the 79th Session of the General Assembly in 2024 and also delivered the country’s statement at the 80th Session in 2025.
President Tinubu personally addressed the 78th UN General Assembly in September 2023, shortly after assuming office.
The Presidency had earlier announced that Tinubu directed Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the General Assembly in New York.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice-President, said Shettima would present Nigeria’s national position and address major issues of international importance.
The Vice-President will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, federal ministers and other senior government officials.
In addition to delivering Nigeria’s national statement, Shettima is expected to participate in high-level meetings focusing on issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and the African continent.
He is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
The 81st UN General Debate commenced on Tuesday, September 22, and is scheduled to continue through Saturday, September 26, before concluding on Monday, September 28.
The annual General Debate provides world leaders and senior government representatives with an opportunity to present their countries’ priorities and positions on major global issues.
The theme of this year’s General Assembly 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 UN General Assembly.
The United Nations General Assembly consists of all 193 UN member states, with each country having equal representation in the organisation’s principal deliberative and policymaking body.
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