Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is set to address the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level General Debate at the UN headquarters in New York on September 24.
According to a revised provisional list of speakers, Tinubu will be the 17th world leader to speak on the second day of the general debate, scheduled for around 8:30 pm local time (2:30 pm Nigerian time).
The gathering will comprise 195 world leaders, including 98 heads of state, five vice-presidents, 44 heads of government, and four deputy prime ministers. Other speakers include 37 ministers, one crown prince, and four chairs of delegation. Traditionally, the President of Brazil, Luiz da Silva, will be the first speaker, followed by U.S. President Donald Trump as the host country.
Notably, Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Tinubu in 2024 and spoke on the first day of the debate, maintaining Tinubu’s slot in a rare diplomatic feat attributed to Nigeria’s goodwill among the international community and diplomatic maneuvering. However, sources indicate that Tinubu’s speaking slot may change if he doesn’t attend in person.
The theme of the 80th session is “Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development, and human rights.” Key events during the high-level week, running from September 22 to 30, include the High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the UN, the SDG Moment, the Climate Summit, and the High-Level Meeting on the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women.