UNGA81: ‘I Deserve Commendation For Securing Front-Row Seat For Nigeria’ — Jimoh Ibrahim

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has said he deserves commendation for securing a prominent seating position for Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

Ibrahim made the statement while defending his earlier claim that President Bola Tinubu would sit close to United States President Donald Trump during the high-level session in New York.

Tinubu, however, did not attend the General Assembly, with Vice President Kashim Shettima leading Nigeria’s delegation and delivering the country’s national statement.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ibrahim said Nigeria occupied the sixth position in the front row of the General Assembly chamber.

He explained that although Trump was initially expected to be seated near Nigeria, the US president did not remain in his designated seat after delivering his address to the General Assembly.

According to Ibrahim, Trump delivered his speech and left the chamber, meaning the seating arrangement did not ultimately place him beside the Nigerian delegation.

The Nigerian envoy maintained that he had fulfilled his promise regarding Nigeria’s position at the assembly and questioned why the achievement had not received sufficient recognition.

Ibrahim said the front-row position was significant, particularly because Nigeria was represented by a senior delegation despite Tinubu’s absence.

He also defended the decision for Tinubu not to travel to New York, noting that more than 60 per cent of speakers listed for the high-level session were represented by vice presidents or foreign ministers.

He argued that it would have been unnecessary for the President to travel to New York simply to deliver a speech of about 15 minutes when other senior officials could adequately represent the country.

Ibrahim further pointed out that the presidents of several major countries, including South Africa, China and Russia, were also absent from the gathering.

He said Shettima and other members of Nigeria’s delegation were adequately positioned to participate in the diplomatic engagements surrounding the General Assembly.

The envoy had earlier announced that Nigeria would retain its designated front-row position despite Tinubu’s absence.

He also said Tinubu would have an opportunity to address the United Nations General Assembly at an appropriate time.

The 81st UNGA has featured discussions on global security, development, climate action and Africa’s representation in international institutions.