Tinubu to Address World Leaders September 23, Push Nigeria’s Reforms, Border Security Agenda

Tinubu to use UNGA platform to defend his administration’s economic reforms, court foreign investment and present Nigeria as a key player in Africa’s economic transformation, amid continuing scrutiny of the impact of his policies.

Nigeria will seek stronger international backing for a regional border-policing initiative, with Abuja warning that West Africa’s porous borders are fuelling terrorism, arms trafficking, smuggling and other cross-border security threats.

Tinubu is expected to hold a series of high-level engagements in New York, including possible talks with US President Donald Trump and meetings with outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Nigeria’s Amina Mohammed.

The President’s return to the UN General Assembly comes after Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the 2024 and 2025 sessions, with Tinubu now set to personally restore Nigeria’s presence at the high-level diplomatic gathering.

 President Bola Tinubu will address world leaders at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York on Wednesday, September 23.

He is expected to place Nigeria’s economic reforms, regional security concerns and diplomatic priorities before the international community.

Tinubu is listed as the 10th speaker during the morning session on the second day of the high-level General Debate, according to a provisional speaking schedule obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria

His address is expected between 11:30am and noon New York time, corresponding to about 4:30pm and 5pm Nigerian time.

The Nigerian President will join representatives of all 193 UN member states at the annual gathering, including more than 150 heads of state and government, as well as vice presidents, deputy prime ministers, ministers and other senior government officials.

The high-level General Debate begins on September 22 and runs through September 28 at the UN headquarters in New York.

The 81st session, to be presided over by Bangladesh’s Khalilur Rahman, has the theme, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”

Reforms, Investment Drive

A major component of Tinubu’s appearance is expected to be the presentation of his administration’s economic reforms to the international community.

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, confirmed that the President would attend the General Assembly, saying his participation would enable Nigeria to showcase the reforms being implemented by the administration.

Tinubu is expected to use the global platform to make a case for Nigeria’s economic transformation, attract international investment and reassure development partners of the government’s commitment to reform.

His appearance will also provide an opportunity to explain the administration’s economic policies to an international audience and highlight areas where Nigeria requires greater international cooperation.

The President’s return to the UN comes as his administration faces sustained domestic debate over the effects of its economic policies, particularly the pressure on households and businesses.

The international gathering therefore offers Tinubu an opportunity to shift the focus to the government’s longer-term economic objectives and Nigeria’s potential as Africa’s largest economy and a major investment destination.

Security is also expected to occupy a prominent position in Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements during the General Assembly.

Ibrahim said Tinubu would engage stakeholders on border policing in West Africa, describing the region’s porous borders as a “major security challenge.”

The Federal Government is collaborating with the United Nations on a regional border-policing initiative and plans to seek wider international support for the programme at the assembly.

According to the envoy, strengthening border policing is necessary to address the movement of terrorists, arms and criminal networks across national boundaries.

The issue has become increasingly important as insecurity continues to spread across parts of the Sahel and West Africa, with weak border controls providing opportunities for terrorist groups, traffickers, smugglers and organised criminal networks to operate across several countries.

Ibrahim said Nigeria would use the UN platform to engage international stakeholders on the initiative.

“So, border policing will be fine. These are the kind of things that the UN is established for,” he said.

For Abuja, the initiative also fits into Nigeria’s traditional role as a leading regional power and reflects the country’s interest in preventing instability in neighbouring states from spilling across its borders.

Trump Meeting Possible

Tinubu’s presence in New York is expected to generate a series of bilateral diplomatic engagements alongside his formal UN address.

Ibrahim disclosed that there could be a meeting between Tinubu and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Such a meeting would be significant for Nigeria, given the strategic importance of its relationship with the United States.

The two leaders could discuss security cooperation, investment, trade, energy, regional stability and Nigeria’s economic reform programme.

Trump is expected to address the General Debate after Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who traditionally opens the debate, followed by the president of the host country, the United States.

The possibility of a Tinubu-Trump meeting therefore adds another important dimension to Nigeria’s diplomatic programme in New York.

Beyond Trump, Tinubu is expected to meet outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose two-term tenure ends on December 31, 2026.

The engagement could provide an opportunity for the Nigerian leader to discuss Nigeria’s priorities within the UN system, particularly on peace and security, development, climate action and reform of multilateral institutions.

Tinubu is also expected to meet Nigeria’s Amina Mohammed, who has served as UN Deputy Secretary-General since 2017.

Mohammed occupies the most senior position held by an African within the UN hierarchy and has played a prominent role in the organisation’s development and sustainable-development agenda.

The President’s programme is also expected to include participation in high-level meetings and side events focused on climate action, sea-level rise, pandemic preparedness and other major global challenges.