Fubara, Lawal, Ministers Join Shettima in Nigeria’s Delegation to 81st UNGA

By Eshioromeh Sebastian

Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, in a presidential mandate that places two state governors and a full ministerial team at the heart of the country’s diplomatic push this year.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu handed the assignment to his deputy, opting to stay back in Abuja while Shettima carries Nigeria’s message to the world’s largest gathering of heads of state and government.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal are the two state chief executives named to the delegation. They will be joined by ministers and other senior government officials, giving the Nigerian team a mix of federal and subnational representation. The inclusion of governors in a UNGA delegation is significant, as it signals that Nigeria intends to pursue deals and partnerships that translate directly to state-level investment, rather than limiting its UN engagements to federal diplomacy alone.

The General Debate runs from September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme: “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, the country’s formal position on the major issues shaping global affairs, from security and economic growth to international cooperation.

Beyond the podium, his week is packed. He will sit in high-level sessions on the Right to Development and climate action, attend the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation, and hold a series of bilateral meetings with other world leaders, international organisations, and development partners.

Three priorities stand out in Nigeria’s UNGA agenda this year. First, economic diplomacy, as Tinubu’s foreign policy has leaned heavily on attracting investment and trade, and New York is where that pitch meets global capital. Second, reform of the global financial architecture, a long-standing Nigerian demand for fairer lending terms, better representation for Africa, and accessible climate finance. Third, climate finance and sustainable development, issues where Nigeria sits on both sides of the equation, as a major oil producer and a country acutely exposed to climate shocks.

Shettima will return to Nigeria once his New York engagements close. For now, all eyes will be on what Nigeria’s delegation brings home from a week that could shape the country’s international partnerships for years to come.