Tinubu set to address world leaders at UN General Assembly Sept. 24

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu will deliver a speech at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Wednesday, September 24.

According to a revised provisional list of speakers, Tinubu is scheduled to speak during the afternoon session at about 8:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. in Nigeria). He is listed as the 17th speaker on the second day of the General Debate.

The session will feature 195 representatives, including 98 heads of state, five vice-presidents, 44 heads of government, four deputy prime ministers, 37 ministers, one crown prince, and four chairs of delegation.

Traditionally, Brazil opens the debate, followed by the United States as host country. This year, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will deliver the first address, with U.S. President Donald Trump speaking second.

UN sources hinted that the lineup could still change depending on whether Tinubu attends in person. “Please note that this list will continue to be updated until the start of the General Debate as changes are communicated by Member States,” Movses Abelian, Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management, explained.

Last year, Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria and spoke on day one, a rare occurrence since, by tradition, heads of state take the early slots. Diplomats attributed this exception to Nigeria’s standing in the global community and the skill of its UN envoys.

The 80th UNGA is themed “Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.” The session formally opened on September 9 with the inauguration of Annalena Baerbock of Germany as President of the Assembly. Baerbock, a former German Foreign Minister, becomes the fifth woman in history to preside over the body. In her opening remarks, she urged nations to confront pressing global challenges such as war, poverty, and climate change “with courage and inclusiveness.”

High-level events will run from September 22 to 30, including the commemoration of the UN’s 80th anniversary, the SDG Moment, the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, the Conference on Palestine and the Two-State Solution, the Climate Summit, and the launch of a Global Dialogue on AI Governance.