Jimoh Ibrahim explains why Tinubu missed UN meeting

Nigeria’s representative at the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, has explained why President Bola Tinubu was not at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. He highlighted that many leaders from other countries also did not attend.

“Most of the speakers were represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Vice President. Do you want President Tinubu to get into the plane, move down to New York and speak for 15 minutes when 60 per cent of the speaking list are represented?” he said.

Mr Ibrahim noted that the president did not have to leave important national matters to attend the assembly in New York. He pointed out that leaders from countries like South Africa, China, and Russia were also missing from the event.

He mentioned that Vice President Kasim Shettima represented Nigeria well at the assembly.

Mr Tinubu’s absence from the 81st UNGA last week drew criticism from many Nigerians on social media. It also raised concerns about why he has missed several international events.

The president has missed the UN gathering three times in a row. He did not go to the 80th UN General Assembly in 2025 and the 79th assembly in 2024. In all these cases, his vice president stood in for him.

During the UN assembly, Mr Tinubu was in France on a “working vacation.” PREMIUM TIMES reported that he left Nigeria on 30 August for London to start a three-week annual leave before heading to Paris. There, he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré just days before the UNGA.

His absence raised further questions, but the presidency defended him, saying he continued to handle his official duties while away.

In support of the president, Mr Ibrahim said that his working leave does not break any rules in the Constitution.

He said, “Human beings are not machines. The president hasn’t committed any offence. Did he breach any provision of the Constitution?

“A working leave is completely different from absolute leave; if we understand that distinction, what are you worrying about? Even I, who have just resumed work as the chair of budget in the UN, am looking for leave.”

Mr Ibrahim also stated that Nigeria kept its high seating position at the assembly even without Mr Tinubu’s presence.

He said he made sure Nigeria held its prominent spot at the gathering as promised.

“Do you think it is easy for a country to sit at number six in the front row? Don’t you know it is a country sitting at number 193 and your country is sitting at number six? When did I get here?” he said.