Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be seated close to United States President Donald Trump during the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) scheduled for September in New York.
Speaking to State House correspondents after meeting President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, Ibrahim said the Nigerian leader would occupy a front-row seat alongside other heads of state during the General Debate.
While declining to confirm whether President Tinubu would hold a bilateral meeting with President Trump, the ambassador maintained that both leaders would be seated in close proximity at the global gathering.
“I can’t confirm whether there will be a meeting, but I can tell you that President Tinubu will be sitting very close to Donald Trump in the front row of the United Nations General Assembly. Don’t ask me how it was arranged, but that is where he will be seated,” Ibrahim said.
The envoy explained that President Tinubu will use the UN platform to present the achievements of his administration over the past three years while engaging world leaders on critical national, regional and international issues.
According to Ibrahim, the President has also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to partnering with the United Nations to strengthen border policing across West Africa as part of broader efforts to combat cross-border crimes, improve regional security and support peacekeeping initiatives.
He said President Tinubu would seek greater international collaboration to enhance coordinated border security operations across the sub-region.
“The President reiterated his commitment to border policing. This time, he will work with the United Nations on strengthening border security in West Africa. There will be significant peacekeeping efforts, and the President is committed to advancing border policing across West African countries,” Ibrahim stated.
He added that the Nigerian leader intends to present West Africa as a model for improved UN-supported border management during discussions at the UN headquarters.
Beyond security, Ibrahim disclosed that President Tinubu is expected to address the General Assembly on his administration’s economic reforms and development agenda.
The President’s programme will also feature participation in high-level side events focusing on power generation, energy, education and healthcare management.
The 81st United Nations General Assembly is expected to bring together world leaders, diplomats and policymakers to deliberate on major global challenges, with Nigeria playing an active role in the discussions.