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The development follows an announcement by the Presidency that the President would return to Nigeria after his three-week vacation in Europe.
Stanley Nkwocha, spokesman to Vice President Kashim Shettima, announced the development in a statement on Sunday.
According to the statement, Tinubu had directed the Vice President to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA.
Tinubu’s absence was also confirmed after a provisional list of speakers obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) showed that Shettima would represent Nigeria at the high-level General Debate.
Tinubu had been listed as the 10th speaker during the morning session on the second day of the high-level General Debate scheduled for Wednesday, September 23.
The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly began on September 8, 2026, while the high-level week is scheduled to take place from September 22 to 29 in New York City