By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to address global leaders at Day two at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 24, 2025, during the high-level General Debate.
According to a revised provisional list from the UN headquarters sighted by The New Diplomat, Tinubu is slated as the 17th speaker on the second day, delivering his address, along with other Heads of State, between 3pm to 9pm.
Some experts say this is a departure from some past schedules where Nigeria had often been earmarked to speak on day one.
The 80th UNGA, themed “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development, and Human Rights,” opened on September 9, 2025, with German President Annalena Baerbock urging member states to unite against global crises such as war, poverty, and climate change.
The General Debate, running from September 23 to 30, will see about 195 world leaders, including 98 heads of state, 44 heads of government, and others, outline their nations’ positions on interconnected challenges.
According to the schedule list sighted by The New Diplomat, the President of Brazil, Luiz da Silva, would be the first world leader to present his address to the 80th session, as is the tradition.
He will be followed by the US President, Donald Trump, the traditional second speaker, being the host country.
South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa is among the first African presidents schedules to address the UN Assembly during the first day. He is the 16th speaker on Tuesday.
The Presidents of Mozambique, Egypt, Angola, and Morocco will also speak on the first day of the UN General Assembly.
On the second day, Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the Presidents of Kenya, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Senegal, the Central African Republic (CAR), and Congo are also scheduled to speak before Nigeria.
The New Diplomat gathered that the speaking order is still provisional subject to finalization.
According to the UN protocols, heads of state are speakers given precedence, while vice presidents, prime ministers, or heads of government typically speak after Heads of State have spoken.
The provisional schedule was released in a note issued by Movses Abelian, Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management.
The statement reads in part: “Please find attached, the revised provisional list of speakers for the general debate of the eightieth session of the General Assembly. This revised list reflects changes in the level of representation (upgrades and downgrades) and exchanges among Member States.
“I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize that a voluntary 15-minute
time limit. The attached list was prepared based on a 15-minute statement by
each delegation. Please note that this list will continue to be updated until the start
of the general debate as changes are communicated in the Journal of the United Nations.
“The final list of speakers for each day will be published in the Journal of the United Nations.”
