Tinubu returns to UN stage, eyes possible Trump encounter

After a two-year absence from the world’s biggest diplomatic gathering, President Bola Tinubu is set to return to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, where he will sell Nigeria’s economic reform agenda to global leaders amid expectations of a possible face-to-face encounter with United States President Donald Trump.

 

Tinubu’s return to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York marks his first appearance at the annual summit since assuming office, after delegating Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria in 2024 and 2025. The visit is expected to reinforce Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement as the government seeks greater international support for its economic reforms, investment drive and regional security initiatives.

 

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations,Jimoh Ibrahim Ambassador, disclosed the President’s attendance on Wednesday after separate meetings with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

“The President has generously agreed to attend the UNGA meeting. 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,” Ibrahim told State House correspondents.

 

According to him, Tinubu’s address is scheduled for about 10:45 a.m. New York time (3:45 p.m. Nigerian time), allowing Nigerians to watch the speech live.

 

The President’s participation is also expected to generate diplomatic interest following indications that he could have a chance meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump during the summit.

 

Although Ibrahim stopped short of confirming a formal bilateral meeting, he revealed that Tinubu would be seated “very, very close” to Trump on the front row of the General Assembly hall.

 

“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,” Ibrahim said.

A source familiar with the seating arrangements said the proximity could create an opportunity for both leaders to interact during the summit, potentially marking their first public meeting.

Beyond addressing the General Assembly, Tinubu is expected to participate in several high-level side events focusing on power and energy, education and healthcare management.

Ibrahim said discussions with the President also centred on strengthening border security across West Africa through closer collaboration with the United Nations.

“The President 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. We will engage the UN to ensure our security is better guaranteed,” he said.

He also disclosed that, in his capacity as Chairman of the UN Budget Committee, he would present the United Nations’ 2027 budget during the General Assembly, a role that places Nigeria at the centre of one of the organisation’s most significant annual processes.

Tinubu’s return to the UNGA follows two consecutive years in which Shettima represented Nigeria. In 2024, the Presidency said the President remained at home to oversee responses to widespread flooding and pressing domestic priorities. Shettima again led Nigeria’s delegation to the 80th UNGA in 2025, where he delivered the country’s national statement on Tinubu’s behalf.

At that session, Tinubu urged the international community to bridge the gap between the United Nations’ commitments and actions while presenting Nigeria’s economic transformation programme as a model for developing economies.

The September summit comes against the backdrop of evolving Nigeria-U.S. relations following President Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” in 2025 over the persecution of Christians. Tinubu subsequently expressed his administration’s willingness to work with Washington to improve security and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The President’s attendance at this year’s UN General Assembly is expected to provide Nigeria with another opportunity to deepen diplomatic engagement, project its reform agenda to the international community and pursue strategic partnerships on investment, security and sustainable development.