By Abdullahi Inuwa
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has dismissed the controversy surrounding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, describing the development as a matter that should not generate unnecessary concern.
The governor spoke against the backdrop of renewed public debate over Nigeria’s representation at one of the world’s most prominent diplomatic gatherings, where heads of government and senior officials converge to discuss global political, economic, security and development issues.
Tinubu is not attending this year’s high-level UNGA meetings and has instead mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation. Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level diplomatic engagements during the General Assembly.
Lawal’s position came as questions continued to emerge over the significance of presidential attendance at the annual gathering and whether the absence of the President could affect Nigeria’s visibility on the international stage.
However, the Zamfara governor, who is in New York for the UNGA, sought to play down the controversy during an exclusive interaction with @The_Vimbai on the sidelines of the gathering.
Rather than allowing the debate over Tinubu’s absence to dominate the discussion, Lawal’s presence at the international forum has focused on development issues affecting Zamfara and the wider North-West region.
The governor had earlier announced plans to use his participation in the 81st UNGA to engage global leaders, development partners and international organisations in efforts to attract investment and strengthen partnerships for Zamfara State.
Lawal’s programme includes participation in high-level meetings and side events focusing on peace, security, resilience, investment and sustainable development.
One of the major engagements is a UN Development Programme-organised side event scheduled to focus on “From Fragility to Opportunity: Locally Led Pathways to Peace, Resilience and Investment in Fragile Contexts.” The event is also expected to launch the Northwest Peace, Security and Development Framework 2026–2030.
The governor is also expected to participate in the SDG Roundtable Discussion, the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, the African-Caribbean High-Level Interactive Dialogue and the Nigeria Investment Forum.
For Lawal, the UN platform therefore provides an opportunity to move discussions beyond Nigeria’s domestic political debate and place Zamfara’s development priorities before international partners.
The 81st UN General Assembly is being held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.” The high-level General Debate is scheduled for September 22 to 28, 2026.
Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima is expected to represent Nigeria in the General Debate, with the Presidency saying his engagements will cover issues including economic growth, peace and security, climate action, sustainable development and international cooperation.
The development marks Shettima’s third consecutive appearance as head of Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA since Tinubu became President, having represented him at the 2024 and 2025 editions as well.
While the President’s absence has attracted criticism from some political figures, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has maintained that the country remains adequately represented, noting that vice presidents and foreign ministers routinely represent countries at the General Assembly when presidents are unavailable.
Against this backdrop, Governor Lawal’s dismissal of the controversy adds another perspective to the ongoing debate, as attention at the UNGA shifts toward the diplomatic and development engagements taking place in New York.
For Zamfara, the governor’s participation is being presented as an opportunity to seek international partnerships in security, economic development, education, healthcare and other areas considered critical to the state’s future.
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