President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to address the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) General Debate in New York on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, according to a provisional speakers’ list obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Tinubu is listed as the 10th speaker in the morning session on the second day of the high-level debate, with his address expected around 11:30 a.m. to noon New York time, or approximately 4:30 p.m. Nigerian time.
Tinubu Listed Among Day Two Speakers
The provisional programme indicates that Tinubu will join more than 150 heads of state and government expected to participate in the General Debate, alongside representatives of the 193 UN member states.
The General Debate is scheduled to run from September 22 to 28 at the UN Headquarters in New York, while the 81st session formally opened on September 8.
The exact speaking time could still change depending on the participation and movements of other world leaders.
UNGA 81 Focuses on Global Trust
The 81st UN General Assembly is being presided over by Bangladesh’s Khalilur Rahman and has the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is expected to open the General Debate on September 22, followed by United States President Donald Trump as the host-country leader.
The high-level week is expected to feature discussions on climate action, sea-level rise, pandemic prevention and preparedness, international security and other global challenges.
Nigeria’s Priorities at UNGA
Tinubu’s programme is also expected to include bilateral and multilateral meetings, side events and other high-level engagements with world leaders and international organisations.
He is expected to meet outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026, as well as Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, a Nigerian who has held the position since 2017.
Nigerian officials have previously indicated that Tinubu could use the platform to highlight economic and governance reforms under his administration and raise concerns about border security in West Africa.
Tinubu Returns After 2023 Address
The appearance would mark Tinubu’s return to the UN General Debate after attending in person in 2023.
Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the 2024 and 2025 sessions.
A possible meeting between Tinubu and Trump on the sidelines of the General Assembly has also been mentioned in previous reports, although no such meeting has been confirmed.
The UNGA programme remains provisional, meaning Tinubu’s speaking slot and other details of Nigeria’s delegation schedule could change before the September meeting.
