By Abiola Olawale
Baring any last minute change of schedule, Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, The New Diplomat has gathered.
The New Diplomat’s checks reveal that the development will make it the second consecutive year that Shettima will attend the global body on behalf of Tinubu, and read Nigeria’s address on behalf of the country’s President.
Recall that Tinubu, last week Thursday, traveled out of Abuja to France and the UK on a 10-working vacation. The trip was announced in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser, to the President on Information and Strategy.
Meanwhile, a source within the presidency, told The New Diplomat that Tinubu has directed that VP Shettima should represent him at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the United States of America.
It is not quite clear why President Tinubu would be represented back to back, in two consecutive years, at the high-level UN General Assembly where Heads of State-Powerful monarchs, Presidents, and Heads of government take the global podium to showcase their respective countries priorities.
Recall that in 2024, Shettima similarly represented President Tinubu, and delivered Nigeria’s address at the 79th session of UNGA.
The address had focused on climate change, sustainable development, and Nigeria’s commitment to global peace.
The New Diplomat reports in a press statement issued by Movses Abelian, Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management, the provisional speaking schedule indicate that Nigeria is scheduled to address global leaders on Day two at the 80th Session of UNGA in New York on September 24, 2025.
According to the 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.
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 global developments.
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 scheduled to address the UN Assembly during the first day. He is the 16th speaker on Tuesday.
The Presidents of Mozambique, Egypt, Angola, and King of 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 the UN.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.”
