President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to address the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly General Debate in New York on September 23, 2026.
According to the provisional schedule, the Nigerian leader will speak during the morning session of the second day of high-level deliberations. His address is expected to take place between 11:30 a.m. and noon local time, which corresponds to 4:30 p.m. in Nigeria.
The week-long high-level debate runs from September 22 to September 28 under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” The global gathering is expected to draw 193 world leaders, including more than 150 heads of state and government.
In line with traditional protocol, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will open the debate, followed by United States President Donald Trump as the leader of the host nation.
Key Engagements and Agenda
President Tinubu’s itinerary includes participation in several high-level meetings, side events, and major summits focused on: Climate action, Sea-level rise and Pandemic preparedness.
Additionally, the President is scheduled to hold discussions with outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term concludes at the end of December 2026, as well as outgoing UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed.
Diplomatic representatives note that the visit will serve as a platform to highlight ongoing national reforms to the international community. Discussions will also center on enhancing regional security, particularly addressing porous borders and fostering international cooperation for West African border policing initiatives. A potential sideline meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump is also being anticipated.
This visit marks President Tinubu’s return to the UNGA podium in person for the first time since 2023, following representations by Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the 2024 and 2025 sessions.
