Nigeria will address the UN General Assembly on Thursday afternoon, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima delivering the country’s national statement for the third consecutive year.

An updated provisional speakers’ schedule placed Nigeria fourth in Thursday’s afternoon session of the General Debate.

Nigeria’s Thursday slot places its statement on the third day of the General Debate, traditionally one of the most closely watched events of UN high-level week.

The afternoon session begins at 3:00 pm New York time and runs until 9:00 p.m., while Mr Shettima is expected to speak between 4:00 pm and 4:30 p.m. (9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Nigerian time).

President Bola Tinubu was initially scheduled as the eighth speaker on Wednesday morning after he moved two spots from the previous 10th spot. UN protocol allows presidents to speak at the high-level General Debate before vice-presidents, prime ministers and ministers.

Mr Tinubu on Sunday directed Mr Shettima to, again, lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Mr Shettima joins 73 heads of state, 45 heads of government, 49 ministers, 11 vice-presidents and one crown prince for the 81st General Assembly high-level week.

His spokesman Stanley Nkwocha said Mr Shettima would deliver Nigeria’s national statement and outline the country’s positions on major international issues. Thursday’s appearance will mark the third successive UN General Assembly at which Shettima will represent Tinubu in the General Debate.

Mr Shettima represented the President at the 79th Session in 2024 and again delivered Nigeria’s statement at the 80th Session in 2025.

Mr Tinubu personally addressed the 78th Session of the General Assembly in September 2023, months after assuming office.

With the latest announcement, Shettima has represented the President at the annual gathering of world leaders in 2024, 2025 and now 2026.

The presidency said the vice-president would lead a high-level delegation comprising Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior officials.

In addition to the national statement, Mr Shettima is expected to participate in high-level meetings on issues considered strategically important to Nigeria and Africa.

The vice-president will hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the assembly.

(NAN)