President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to address world leaders at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
According to a provisional speaking schedule obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria, Tinubu is expected to be the 10th speaker during the morning session, with his address scheduled for around 11:30 a.m. to noon New York time, or approximately 4:30 p.m. Nigerian time.
The high-level General Debate will run from September 22 to 28, bringing together world leaders and senior government officials to discuss major global issues.
Tinubu is expected to use the UN platform to highlight reforms by his administration and engage international stakeholders on issues including border policing and security challenges in West Africa, according to Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim.
The President is also expected to participate in high-level meetings and side events focused on issues including climate action, sea-level rise and pandemic preparedness. He is scheduled to meet outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term ends on December 31, 2026.
The 81st UN General Assembly session will officially open on September 8, while the General Debate begins on September 22. The UN’s official schedule confirms September 22 as the opening date of the General Debate.
Tinubu attended the UN General Assembly in person in 2023, while Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the 2024 and 2025 sessions. Ambassador Ibrahim has confirmed that Tinubu will attend this year’s UNGA.