‘Nigeria is not the only one’ – Gov Sule defends Tinubu’s UNGA absence
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule stated that President Bola Tinubu is not the only world leader absent from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In a virtual interview with TVC, Sule emphasized that Nigeria’s diplomatic presence remains robust despite the President’s absence. Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Tinubu and is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement on Thursday. This marks Shettima’s third consecutive year attending the assembly on behalf of the President, having previously served in 2024 and 2025.
Addressing the President’s absence, Sule noted that many nations have opted to send vice presidents, foreign ministers, or other senior officials in lieu of their heads of state. “I don’t think I’m competent to speak about the absence of our own president, but I just want to make it categorically clear that Nigeria is not the only one,” he said. “There are many countries represented by their vice presidents and, in fact, some by foreign ministers. The presence of the country is what matters more than the head of government.”
Sule further revealed that Shettima has received over 30 requests for bilateral meetings from foreign leaders and officials. “As of yesterday, we had over 30 requests from heads of government, prime ministers, foreign ministers, and other kinds of ministers wanting to meet with the vice president,” Sule stated, highlighting that this interest underscores Nigeria’s continued international relevance at the General Assembly.
The governor acknowledged that President Tinubu likely has valid reasons for not attending the event and that those involved in the decision are best positioned to provide an explanation. He also indicated that Nigeria’s campaign for reforms in the UN Security Council, which includes advocating for a permanent seat for Africa, can persist without the President’s physical presence in New York. “It is not just necessarily at the UN General Assembly address that it is going to be done, sealed and actually passed. There will still be a lot of side events, a lot of side meetings, sometimes not even here in New York, in many other countries where such discussions will take place,” he said.
Shettima attended the opening of the high-level General Debate at the UN Headquarters on Tuesday, joining other global leaders. He will deliver Nigeria’s national statement on Thursday, focusing on topics including international cooperation, development, peace, and security.
Sule, who is also part of Nigeria’s delegation, mentioned that he is using this opportunity to seek investments and partnerships for Nasarawa State, particularly in the state’s critical minerals sector. He pointed out that a lithium processing plant recently commissioned by President Tinubu has been highlighted in discussions surrounding Africa’s mineral resources. Sule expressed optimism that the meetings would help attract more investors and strengthen partnerships in the solid minerals industry in Nasarawa.
