NIGERIA’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, on Wednesday announced that President Bola Tinubu has confirmed his attendance at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States, scheduled for September.
News Point Nigeria reports that the development comes amid indications that a chance meeting between Tinubu and United States President Donald Trump appears likely, as the Nigerian leader is expected to be seated just a few seats away from the American president in the front row of the General Assembly hall.
Ibrahim disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The former lawmaker had visited the Presidential Villa on Tuesday and returned on Wednesday to conclude discussions with the President.
“The President has generously agreed to attend the UNGA meeting of the United Nations,” Ibrahim said.
He explained that Tinubu’s participation would be significant because the President was scheduled to address the global audience on the successes of his administration’s reform agenda.
“It is significant because Mr President has a speech to give to the whole world about the reform success in Nigeria, and that has been slated for September.
“So Nigeria will be effectively present at UNGA,” he added.
According to Ibrahim, Tinubu’s address has been scheduled for approximately 10:45 a.m. New York time, which corresponds to about 3:45 p.m. in Nigeria, ensuring that Nigerians would be able to follow the speech live during their waking hours.
“That will be a time when Nigeria will be awake, so everybody will listen and see live what the President will be delivering,” he said.
Responding to questions on the possibility of a meeting between Tinubu and Trump, Ibrahim declined to confirm any formal engagement but disclosed that the Nigerian President would be seated very close to the American leader.
“I won’t be able to tell you that there will be a meeting, but I can tell you clearly that President Tinubu will be sitting very, very close to Donald Trump in the front row of the United Nations General Assembly.
“That you can get from me. Don’t ask me how that was arranged, but Mr President of Nigeria will be sitting in the front row,” Ibrahim stated.
However, a source familiar with the seating arrangements told The PUNCH that the proximity between both leaders could lead to an informal encounter, noting that Tinubu and Trump have not met publicly before.
“Trump will see him, and they will meet during the UN Summit because he will be sitting two seats away from him on the front row,” the source said.
Ibrahim further revealed that Tinubu would participate in several side events already lined up during the gathering.
“There are side event meetings for Mr President to attend, which include a generation of power and energy issues.
“There is another side event meeting on education, as well as hospital management.
“But we don’t want to crowd the itinerary, so we discussed that graciously,” he said.
On regional security, Ibrahim disclosed that border policing in West Africa featured prominently in his discussions with the President. The Chairman of the United Nations Budget Committee said Tinubu had reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening border security through collaboration with the UN.
“The President also reaffirmed his commitment to border policing. This time around, the President will be working with the United Nations to look into the West African border, which is porous.
“A lot of peacekeeping effort is coming in here, and I will be going back to the UN to inform everyone about the decision to take West Africa as a case study of border policing and ensure our security is well guaranteed,” he stated.
Ibrahim also disclosed that, in his capacity as Chairman of the UN Budget Committee, he would present the organisation’s 2027 budget at the General Assembly session, a responsibility that places Nigeria at the centre of one of the multilateral institution’s most important annual processes.
Tinubu’s planned attendance at the 81st UNGA will mark his return to the world’s foremost diplomatic gathering after a two-year absence.
At the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2024, the Presidency said Tinubu had chosen to focus on domestic matters, particularly in the aftermath of devastating floods that affected several Nigerian states.
He subsequently directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation and deliver the country’s national statement.
At UNGA 79, Shettima represented Nigeria, delivering the national address and participating in key sideline engagements.
The President also delegated the Vice President to attend the 80th UN General Assembly in September 2025, when Shettima again travelled to New York on his behalf.