Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has demanded an explanation from President Bola Tinubu over his decision to miss the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, questioning the reason for his absence for the third consecutive year.
The Presidency announced on Sunday that Vice-President Kashim Shettima would lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st session of the UNGA, scheduled to take place in New York. Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements during the gathering.
Atiku, in a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said Tinubu had also been absent from the 79th UNGA in 2024 and the 80th session in 2025, with Shettima representing him on those occasions.
The former Vice-President argued that while the Vice-President could constitutionally and diplomatically represent the country, three consecutive presidential absences from one of the world’s major diplomatic gatherings warranted an explanation from the administration.
According to Atiku, the UNGA provides heads of government with opportunities to engage directly with other world leaders, pursue investment and trade partnerships, discuss security cooperation and negotiate international development initiatives.
He therefore questioned whether Nigeria could fully maximise such opportunities when the President was not personally present.
Atiku also referred to earlier statements by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, that Tinubu was expected to attend this year’s General Assembly. He questioned why those plans had subsequently changed.
The former Vice-President further raised questions about reports that arrangements had been made for Tinubu to occupy a seat close to United States President Donald Trump during the General Assembly.
“The seat was secured, but the President disappeared,” Atiku said, according to reports of his statement.
Atiku also questioned reported spending on American lobbyists by the Federal Government, asking why Nigeria would commit significant resources to lobbying efforts in the United States while the President repeatedly stayed away from the UN gathering.
Another major aspect of his statement concerned Tinubu’s past legal proceedings in the United States. Atiku referred to a 1993 forfeiture case in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and raised questions about whether issues connected with that history could have any bearing on the President’s decision not to travel to New York.
However, Atiku expressly acknowledged that he was not claiming that Tinubu was legally barred from entering the United States.
“We are not asserting that Tinubu is legally prohibited from entering the United States,” he said, according to Channels Television. He instead called on the Presidency to clarify whether there was any legal, diplomatic, medical or personal reason behind the President’s absence.
The Presidency has maintained that Nigeria will be adequately represented at the 81st UNGA through the Vice-President and a delegation of senior government officials.
Shettima is expected to participate in high-level meetings covering issues including development, climate action and other matters affecting Nigeria and Africa. He will also hold bilateral discussions with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners, according to the Presidency’s communications team.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN has also said the country’s representation will remain strong despite Tinubu’s absence. Reports indicate that the Nigerian delegation will include ministers, governors and other senior officials.
Tinubu personally attended the 78th UN General Assembly in 2023, where he delivered Nigeria’s national statement. Since then, Shettima has represented him at the 2024 and 2025 sessions and is expected to do so again this year.
The controversy comes as the 81st UNGA prepares to bring together representatives of the United Nations’ 193 member states for discussions on global security, development, trade, climate and international cooperation.
For Atiku, the issue is one of accountability and Nigeria’s diplomatic visibility. He has called on the Presidency to explain why Tinubu’s earlier plans to attend were changed and whether any circumstance prevented him from travelling.
The Presidency, meanwhile, has emphasised that the Vice-President and the Nigerian delegation will represent the country’s interests at the international gathering.
The reason for Tinubu’s decision not to attend personally has therefore become the subject of political debate, with Atiku demanding further clarification while the government proceeds with its planned representation at the UNGA.
