President Bola Tinubu is expected to address the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, amid questions over Nigeria’s progress on democracy, development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Unless there is a change in his plans, Tinubu is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement on Thursday, while Vice-President Kashim Shettima could again represent the country at the high-level gathering, as he has done in the past two years.

The development comes against the backdrop of renewed debate over the constitutional procedure for transferring presidential powers during the President’s absence from the country.

According to a Premium Times report cited in an opinion article examining Nigeria’s participation in the UN General Assembly, Tinubu has not formally transferred power to Shettima during his overseas absences since assuming office in 2023.

The issue has generated questions about the practical application of constitutional provisions concerning presidential authority when the President is away from the country.

The 81st UN General Assembly is being held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all.”

The theme places particular emphasis on restoring confidence in international institutions, accelerating development and ensuring that the benefits of economic and social progress reach wider populations.

For Nigeria, the theme also provides an opportunity for the government to explain its progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and its broader development commitments.

Nigeria and the unfinished development agenda
The UN’s current development agenda has its roots in the Millennium Declaration adopted by world leaders in 2000.

The declaration eventually produced the Millennium Development Goals, which set targets to be achieved by 2015.

The opinion article argued that while countries including China, Brazil and Rwanda recorded significant progress during the MDG period, Nigeria struggled to achieve most of the targets.

China, for instance, recorded a dramatic reduction in extreme poverty over the period, with hundreds of millions of people lifted out of poverty.

Nigeria, by contrast, achieved the MDG target relating to net primary school enrolment but recorded limited progress in several other areas.

The article noted that despite significant economic growth during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, poverty remained widespread.

Nigeria was subsequently described by the World Bank as the country with the largest number of people living in extreme poverty, particularly around 2018, although poverty measurement methodologies and estimates have changed over time.

Buhari’s 100 million poverty pledge
Former President Muhammadu Buhari also made poverty reduction a major component of his administration’s development agenda.

In 2015, while the Sustainable Development Goals were being launched, Buhari said poverty eradication and reducing inequality were central to his government’s plans.

He also promised to tackle unemployment and inequalities which, according to him, had been worsened by policies that benefited a small section of the population.

Four years later, Buhari announced a plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within 10 years.

He argued that Nigeria could achieve the feat with the right leadership and a clear sense of purpose, citing the experiences of countries such as China and India.

However, critics later questioned the extent to which the administration’s poverty reduction targets were achieved.

The article also criticised Buhari for what it described as limited public emphasis on the SDGs during his later years in office.

Tinubu and the 2030 Agenda
The current administration has also made economic reforms, poverty reduction and social intervention programmes central to its public messaging.

At the 2023 UN General Assembly, Tinubu called for stronger international cooperation among African countries to advance the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

In 2024, Shettima similarly discussed the difficulties confronting developing countries in financing the implementation of the Goals.

However, the article questioned whether Nigeria would use this year’s UN gathering to provide a detailed account of its progress towards the 17 SDGs.

The 17 Goals cover areas including poverty eradication, quality education, gender equality, decent work, reduced inequalities, climate action, peace and justice, and stronger institutions.

The UN General Assembly provides several platforms where governments, development organisations, civil society groups and private-sector actors showcase initiatives linked to the Goals.

These include the SDG Media Zone and other events designed to highlight development initiatives and partnerships.

First Lady’s social protection initiative questioned
Another issue raised in the article concerns the role of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in the administration’s social intervention efforts.

While President Tinubu was away on vacation, the First Lady launched the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project, described as a $1 billion social protection programme.

The initiative is intended to move vulnerable Nigerians from short-term assistance towards longer-term economic empowerment and self-reliance.

However, the article questioned the constitutional and institutional basis for the initiative, describing it as an area requiring greater scrutiny.

It also linked the programme to questions surrounding government cash-transfer programmes.

The concerns come as Nigeria continues to face scrutiny over the management and distribution of social protection funds, including issues raised by the Auditor-General regarding billions of naira in cash transfers intended for vulnerable Nigerians.

Questions over cost of UN trips
The article also raised concerns about the financial implications of Nigeria’s annual participation in the UN General Assembly.

It estimated that if a large delegation of senior officials travelled to New York, the cost of airfare and official estacode allowances could run into hundreds of millions of naira.

According to figures cited in the article, the estimated cost could reach about N638 million for a one-week trip or approximately N835 million for two weeks, based on official allowances and assumptions about first-class travel.

The figures do not include accommodation, airport transfers, security, protocol vehicles, aides, communications, hospitality and other logistical expenses.

The article also referred to foreign-exchange transactions associated with previous presidential and vice-presidential trips.

It cited transactions involving millions of dollars and euros around the period of Tinubu’s 2023 UN General Assembly trip, as well as a later foreign-exchange transaction associated with Shettima’s international travel.

Such figures, however, require careful verification against official financial records before they can be treated as the complete cost of any particular UN delegation.

What will Nigeria tell the world?
At the centre of the debate is whether Nigeria’s delegation will use the UN platform to provide a detailed account of the country’s progress on democracy, poverty reduction and the SDGs.

Nigeria has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the 2030 Agenda, while successive administrations have introduced programmes aimed at reducing poverty, improving social protection and expanding economic opportunities.

At the same time, the country continues to face challenges involving poverty, unemployment, inequality, education, healthcare, insecurity and institutional accountability.

The UN General Assembly therefore offers the Nigerian government an opportunity to present measurable evidence of its progress while also outlining the areas where further international cooperation and domestic reforms are required.

The broader question raised by the article is whether the annual gathering in New York should be treated principally as a diplomatic ritual or as an opportunity for governments to demonstrate concrete results to the people they represent.

For Nigeria, the answer may depend less on the speeches delivered at the General Assembly and more on measurable outcomes at home.

If the country is able to demonstrate sustained progress in poverty reduction, institutional accountability, economic opportunity and the other SDGs, the story at the UN becomes easier to tell.

If not, questions about the gap between official declarations and realities facing citizens are likely to remain part of Nigeria’s international image.

The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Yobe State, Baba Wali, has pledged to sustain and build on the achievements of Governor Mai Mala Buni if elected governor in the 2027 governorship election.

Wali made the commitment on Saturday during a visit to the Gudi Emirate in Fika Local Government Area as part of his consultations with traditional rulers and other stakeholders ahead of the election.

The APC candidate said his seven-year experience working in the Buni administration had given him a clear understanding of the policies, programmes and development agenda of the current government.

He assured residents that, if elected, his administration would prioritise continuity while introducing measures aimed at consolidating the gains already recorded by the present administration.

Wali expressed appreciation to Governor Buni for giving him the opportunity to serve in his government, describing the experience as valuable to his political and administrative career.

“I will be forever grateful to the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, for allowing me to work in his administration for seven years.

“If I win the election, my administration will continue from where Buni stopped.

We will continue with the good works of the present administration and build on the achievements recorded so far for the benefit of the people of Yobe State,” he said.

Wali also acknowledged the contributions of former Yobe governor and current Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam, to his career.

He said Geidam provided him with significant support and opportunities during his time in government, adding that he remained grateful for the role the former governor played in his development.

Explaining the purpose of his visit to the Gudi Emirate, Wali said he was at the palace to seek the prayers, guidance and support of Emir Ismaila Gadaka and the people of the emirate ahead of the 2027 election.

He also appealed to the traditional institution and residents of the emirate to support the APC and its candidates at both the state and national levels, including President Bola Tinubu.

“We are urging the Emirate of Bade to support us and all the APC candidates,” Wali said.

The APC candidate further maintained that his experience in government had exposed him to the challenges confronting Yobe State and equipped him with the knowledge needed to provide effective leadership.

He said his administration, if given the mandate, would focus on consolidating existing achievements and addressing areas requiring further attention.

Responding, the monarch assured Wali of the emirate’s support, noting that traditional institutions would continue to support political candidates whose emergence would contribute to the development and well-being of the people.

The monarch, however, urged political leaders to put the interests of the people above political considerations and ensure that government policies and programmes translated into tangible development across the state.

A professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, Tunji Ogunyemi, has warned that restoring petrol subsidy could push more than 15 states in Northern Nigeria into severe financial crisis within three months.

Ogunyemi issued the warning while speaking on Open Forum 360, a podcast hosted by Dare Adekanmbi, on Friday.

He was reacting to the proposal by the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to introduce a form of petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.

The university don argued that bringing back subsidy would reduce the amount of money available for distribution through the Federation Account, a major source of revenue for most state governments.

According to him, any significant reduction in Federation Account allocations could leave many states unable to meet their financial obligations.

“I think it is calamitous, to say the least, if we reverse the subsidy regime in Nigeria in favour of returning the subsidies,” Ogunyemi said.

He described the Federation Account as the financial lifeline of more than 30 states, arguing that only a handful of states could operate without depending heavily on federal allocations.

“The Federation Account is the jugular of more than 30 states in the federation. Only about four states in Nigeria can survive without the Federation Account,” he stated.

Ogunyemi cited Lagos, Delta and Rivers among states he said had stronger internally generated revenues and could cope better with reduced federal allocations.

He contrasted them with states such as Taraba, which he said rely significantly on Federation Account revenue.

“So if you now say reduce the accrual from the account, I tell you more than about 15 states in the north will collapse. They will collapse within three months,” he warned.

Salary, Pension Payments at Risk
The professor also cautioned that a reduction in government revenue could make it difficult for states to pay workers and pensioners.

He said states could return to the period when governments struggled to meet monthly salary obligations, while pension payments could also become increasingly difficult.

“The second is that states will return to a regime of incapacity to pay salaries, let alone pensions,” he said.

Ogunyemi further warned that the Federal Government could also experience financial difficulties if its share of national revenue declined.

He noted that between 60 and 70 per cent of federal government expenditure goes towards recurrent spending, describing the spending as largely consumption-related.

According to him, reduced revenue would leave the government struggling to finance even essential recurrent obligations, while funding for infrastructure and other capital projects could suffer.

Debt Servicing Concerns
The don also raised concerns about Nigeria’s ability to service its debts if government revenue falls significantly.

He warned that difficulties in meeting debt obligations could negatively affect the country’s financial standing and creditworthiness.

Ogunyemi also questioned the political implications of Atiku’s subsidy proposal, suggesting that the promise could be aimed at winning public support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He argued that Atiku, having served as Vice-President, should provide Nigerians with clearer explanations of the potential fiscal consequences of restoring subsidy.

Atiku Clarifies Subsidy Proposal
Atiku had initially promised to restore petrol subsidy, arguing that Nigerians had not benefited sufficiently from its removal and questioning how the savings from the policy had been utilised.

He later clarified that his proposal was not a return to the previous import-subsidy arrangement.

The former Vice-President said he favoured a targeted and capped intervention designed to support domestic refining and production, with transparency and auditing mechanisms to prevent abuse.

President Bola Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, during his inauguration, declaring that “fuel subsidy is gone.”

The announcement was followed by a sharp increase in petrol prices, contributing to higher transportation and living costs across the country.

The Federal Government has continued to defend the policy, arguing that subsidy removal was necessary to reduce fiscal pressure and free up resources for governments at federal, state and local levels.

The Ministry of Finance said the reforms generated an estimated N15.8 trillion in resources for the Federation between June 2023 and December 2025.