President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this year.
Tinubu has asked Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the summit, according to a statement released on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special assistant on media and strategy.
“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” the statement reads.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.”
The president has stated that only authorised government personnel will attend this year’s UNGA, which is slated to take place from September 24 to 28.
Femi Gbajabiamila, the president’s chief of staff, delivered Tinubu’s directive at a one-day retreat organised by State House management for heads of government agencies under its control.
Gbajabiamila stated that the decision to lower the country’s representation to the UNGA is part of the administration’s aim to “ensure prudent resource management and reduce the cost of governance.”
He encouraged heads of agencies to fully follow the presidential direction.