By Spear News Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu is facing mounting criticism over his decision to skip the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, even as Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived in the city to lead Nigeria’s delegation and present the country’s position on major global issues.
Shettima, who landed in New York with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning Doris Uzoka-Anite and other senior officials, said Nigeria’s engagements would be driven strictly by national interest.
“Our message in New York is clear: Nigeria believes in multilateralism, but the institutions that govern our world must become more representative, equitable, and responsive to the realities of today,” he said on arrival.
He was received by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President Ibrahim Hadejia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the general debate, hold bilateral meetings with world leaders and push Nigeria’s priorities on peace and security, economic development, climate action and reform of the global financial system.
But back home, the President’s absence has become a political storm.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, now the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), questioned who is actually in charge of Nigeria, 22 days after the Presidency announced Tinubu was travelling for a three-week annual vacation.
In a statement titled “Who is in charge of Nigeria?”, Atiku cited Section 145 of the Constitution, which requires the President to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives before handing over to the Vice President when proceeding on vacation.
He argued that Nigerians had not been shown any such letter more than 21 days after Tinubu left the country on August 30.
Atiku noted that Section 145 also empowers the National Assembly to mandate the Vice President to act as President by a simple majority of both chambers if the President fails to transmit the declaration within 21 days.
“Nigeria cannot be governed by assumptions. It cannot be governed by presidential social-media posts from Europe. It cannot be governed by photographs from private dinners at the Élysée Palace. It cannot be governed on autopilot,” he said.
FG pushes back
The Federal Government has rejected the criticism, insisting Tinubu’s absence does not weaken Nigeria’s diplomatic standing.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the President had mandated Shettima to lead the delegation, deliver the national statement and hold high-level bilateral engagements on Nigeria’s behalf.
“Vice President Shettima carries the full mandate of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Idris said.
He said Shettima’s engagements in New York would advance Nigeria’s priorities on peace and security, economic development, climate action, reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development and international cooperation.
“Nigeria will therefore be fully and effectively represented throughout the high-level session,” he said.
Idris also dismissed commentary by Atiku and a US-based lobbying organisation he retained, urging Nigerians to separate verified information from political speculation.
Experts divided
Foreign policy experts are also split on the implications.
Prof Joshua Bolarinwa of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) said Tinubu’s absence was not a major concern as long as Nigeria’s interests were represented, noting that the Vice President, Foreign Minister or Permanent Representative could adequately speak for the country.
He pointed to Nigeria’s chairmanship of the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim’s role as Chairman of the Fifth Committee as evidence the country remained visible at the UN.
But another NIIA research fellow, Kelechi Nwogu, called the absence unfortunate, saying it sent the wrong signal about how Nigeria was handling its domestic and external challenges and did not project Africa positively.
Dr Bamidele Olajide of the University of Lagos said the President was simply delegating responsibility, adding that the UN General Assembly is largely a talking shop without executive power.
This year’s gathering has drawn nearly 130 heads of state and government, with the General Debate running from today to September 28.
The agenda is dominated by the wars in Iran, Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Congo and Myanmar, alongside climate change, inequality, shipping route disruptions, supply chain pressures and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, delivering his final address before his tenure ends on December 31, 2026, warned that the global situation “is getting worse,” with geopolitical divisions paralysing the Security Council.
He said the involvement of major powers in ongoing conflicts had created “an environment of impunity,” and warned that disruptions to food, fertiliser and energy exports were devastating economies, especially in developing countries.
Reform of the Security Council, whose structure he said “still essentially represents the world of World War II,” is expected to feature prominently.
Tinubu extends stay
Meanwhile, the Presidency announced that Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and will return to Nigeria at the weekend.
Tinubu left Abuja on August 30 for London. He later moved to Paris, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President has remained in contact with officials in Abuja and continued to direct the affairs of government throughout his stay abroad.
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