For Nigeria, the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is more than another item on the presidential calendar. It is one of the few occasions each year when the country’s president has a direct platform before world leaders, investors, diplomats and international institutions to sell Nigeria’s story, defend its interests and seek partnerships.
That is why the prospect of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu missing the 81st UNGA in New York has raised questions about what message Nigeria would send at a time when it is seeking stronger international support for security, investment and economic reforms.
In July, Jimoh Ibrahim, Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, told State House correspondents that Tinubu had confirmed he would attend the September gathering and address the world on his administration’s reform programme.
“The President has generously agreed to attend the UNGA meeting of the United Nations,” Ibrahim said. He added that the president had “a speech to give to the whole world about the reform success in Nigeria.”
Two months later, the picture has changed. Reports emerging in early September indicate that Tinubu may have shelved the trip, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima expected to lead Nigeria’s delegation. A source said intelligence about a planned anti-Tinubu protest in New York influenced the reported decision. The presidency, however, had not formally confirmed the cancellation at the time of reporting.
