Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, is scheduled to speak at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) during the high-level General Debate at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday, September 24.
According to a revised provisional list of speakers obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Tinubu will deliver his remarks on the second day of the debate. His address is slated for the afternoon session at about 8:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. Nigerian time), making him the 17th world leader to speak that day.
Tinubu will join a global gathering of 195 leaders, including 98 heads of state, five vice presidents, 44 heads of government, and four deputy prime ministers. The debate will also feature 37 ministers, one crown prince, and four chairs of delegation.
As tradition dictates, Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, will open the debate, followed by the host country’s leader, U.S. President Donald Trump.
UN officials noted that the speaking order may still change depending on confirmations of attendance. In 2024, Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Tinubu, speaking on the first day of the debate—a rare privilege usually reserved for heads of state. Diplomats credited Nigeria’s international goodwill and skilled negotiations at the UN for securing that slot.
The debate’s theme is “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development, and Human Rights.”
UNGA 80 opened on September 9 with the inauguration of Annalena Baerbock of Germany as its new president, making her only the fifth woman in history to preside over the Assembly. She pledged inclusive leadership in tackling global crises ranging from war and poverty to climate change.
The high-level week runs from September 22 to 30, featuring not only the General Debate but also key meetings, including the SDG Moment, the Climate Summit, a commemoration of the UN’s 80th anniversary, and a global dialogue on AI governance.
