According to a revised provisional list of speakers obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Tinubu will speak on the second day of the debate, during the afternoon session at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. Nigerian time). He will be the 17th world leader to deliver remarks that day.
The gathering will feature 195 world leaders, including 98 heads of state, five vice presidents, 44 heads of government, and four deputy prime ministers. Other speakers include 37 ministers, one crown prince, and four heads of delegation.
As per tradition, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will open the debate, followed by U.S. President Donald Trump, representing the host nation.
UN sources indicated that Tinubu’s speaking slot may still change depending on his in-person attendance. Traditionally, heads of state are allocated the first and second days of the debate, while vice presidents and other officials speak from the third day onward.
Last year, Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria, maintaining Tinubu’s prime speaking slot, a move described by diplomats as highly unusual and attributed to Nigeria’s diplomatic goodwill.
Movses Abelian, Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management, explained that the revised list reflects “changes in the level of representation (upgrades and downgrades) and exchanges among member states.” He added that the lineup will continue to be updated until the debate begins.
This year’s theme, “Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development, and human rights,” will guide the discussions. The General Debate will run from September 23 to September 29, forming part of the high-level week which begins September 22 and ends September 30.
The high-level week will feature several key events, including the High-level Meeting to Commemorate the UN’s 80th Anniversary, the SDG Moment, the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, the Conference on Palestine and the Two-State Solution, the Climate Summit, and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
The 80th session of the UNGA was formally opened on September 9 with the inauguration of its new president, Annalena Baerbock of Germany, who becomes the fifth woman in history to preside over the Assembly. Baerbock, Germany’s former foreign minister, pledged to lead with courage and inclusiveness, calling for global unity in tackling war, poverty, and climate change.
