UNGA80: Analyst Dickson Iroegbu Criticizes President Tinubu’s Absence

A Nigerian public affairs analyst, Dickson Iroegbu, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for failing to attend the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), an event regarded as one of the most critical diplomatic gatherings in the world.

During an interview on Prime Time, a popular programme on Arise Television, Iroegbu expressed disappointment, stressing that this was the second consecutive time the president had been absent from UNGA, a platform crucial for advancing Nigeria’s political and economic interests on the global stage.

According to him, while it is constitutionally acceptable for Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent the president, the absence of the Nigerian leader at such a prestigious global meeting undermines the seriousness with which Nigeria is perceived internationally.

“Yes, Vice President Kashim Shettima can represent him, but the importance of such a meeting of heads of state demands the president’s personal presence. Nigeria cannot afford to be casual about global engagements that affect our future,” Iroegbu said.

He emphasized that although the vice president delivered his official speech at the assembly, Nigeria’s credibility in the international community should not be separated from the situation at home.

“The global community knows the realities within our country. We cannot project values internationally that we are unwilling or unable to uphold domestically. This contradiction weakens our standing and influence,” he added.

Iroegbu specifically referenced the two-state solution, a central theme discussed by the vice president at the assembly. He questioned the sincerity of Nigeria’s stance on international issues, highlighting the contradictions between what is preached abroad and what is practiced at home.

“For instance, the two-state solution that the Vice President talked about—who exactly are we fooling? At home, we clamp down on our citizens for making such demands. This double standard is obvious to the world,” he remarked.

The analyst concluded by urging Nigerian leadership to prioritize international diplomacy with the seriousness it deserves, arguing that consistent presidential presence at platforms like UNGA is vital for securing Nigeria’s strategic global interests.