BreakingNews Shettima stands in for Tinubu at UN meeting as Trump and other leaders start talks on world problems

BreakingNews Shettima stands in for Tinubu at UN meeting as Trump and other leaders start talks on world problems

Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing President Bola Tinubu at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, began their main speeches and talks today, Tuesday 22 September 2026.

The big yearly meeting of countries opened its General Debate this morning at UN headquarters. The theme is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” Leaders will speak from 22 to 26 September and again on 28 September. They will talk about peace, security, money, climate, and how the UN can work better for every country.

Tinubu is not in New York. The Nigerian government says he is on annual leave. He asked Shettima to lead Nigeria’s team and speak for the country. Officials say Shettima has the president’s full power to act for Nigeria. This is the third year in a row that Shettima has spoken for Tinubu at the UN after doing so in 2024 and 2025. Tinubu himself spoke in 2023.

Shettima arrived in New York on Monday with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, some ministers, and other officials. He will give Nigeria’s main speech on Thursday afternoon, 24 September. That speech will explain what Nigeria wants on peace, development, jobs, and working with other countries.

Shettima said Nigeria will put its own national interest first. He also said Nigeria still believes countries should work together. At the same time, he will push President Tinubu’s call for change in world bodies so they better match today’s world. Nigeria wants developing countries, especially in Africa, to have a stronger voice and a fairer chance to grow. Nigeria will again ask for a permanent African seat on the UN Security Council.

Trump spoke today as the second country after Brazil. Other leaders speaking on the first day include Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and France’s Emmanuel Macron. Leaders will also hold many side meetings. Topics in the news include the war in Ukraine, tensions with Iran, climate action, and how to make the UN more useful.

The Nigerian government says the country is fully represented and will keep working with partners. Some people in Nigeria have criticised Tinubu for not going himself. Officials reply that it is normal for a vice president to stand in and that Nigeria’s place at the UN is not weaker because of it.

Shettima will also join talks on climate, the right to development, and other issues important to Nigeria and Africa. He will meet other leaders and groups on the sidelines of the meeting.