President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this September, marking Nigeria’s return to the annual global summit under his leadership after a two-year absence.

The development was confirmed on Wednesday by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, following a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to Ambassador Ibrahim, President Tinubu has formally accepted the invitation to participate in the high-profile gathering of world leaders, where he is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement before the General Assembly.

The President’s address has been scheduled for approximately 10:45 a.m. New York time (3:45 p.m. Nigerian time), giving Nigerians at home and abroad the opportunity to follow the speech live.

During his address, Tinubu is expected to highlight Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, the achievements of his administration, and the progress of the Renewed Hope Agenda, while outlining the country’s priorities on regional and global issues.

Beyond the plenary session, the President is also expected to participate in several high-level side events focusing on critical sectors including energy, education, and healthcare, where world leaders will discuss strategies for sustainable development and international cooperation.

On regional security, Ambassador Ibrahim said President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to addressing the challenge of porous borders across West Africa. He noted that the President intends to work closely with the United Nations in advancing a regional border policing framework designed to strengthen cross-border security, combat transnational crime, and improve cooperation among countries in the sub-region.

Commenting on reports of a possible meeting between President Tinubu and United States President Donald Trump during the UN gathering, Ambassador Ibrahim said he could not confirm whether a formal bilateral meeting had been scheduled. However, he disclosed that both leaders are expected to be seated close to each other during the General Assembly.

A source familiar with the UN seating arrangements indicated that the Nigerian and U.S. presidents are likely to occupy seats only a few places apart in the front row, creating the possibility of an informal interaction on the sidelines of the event.

Ambassador Ibrahim also revealed that, in his capacity as Chairman of the United Nations Budget Committee, he will present the UN’s proposed 2027 budget during the session.

President Tinubu’s attendance at the 81st UN General Assembly will be his first appearance at the global forum since assuming office in May 2023. In the previous two editions of the Assembly, held in 2024 and 2025, he delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria while he remained focused on domestic governance and the implementation of key national priorities.

The 81st UN General Assembly is expected to bring together heads of state, government officials, diplomats, and international organisations from across the world to deliberate on pressing global issues, including peace and security, economic development, climate change, healthcare, education, and international cooperation.

The Osun State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper allegedly linked to a failed abduction attempt in Ijebu-Jesa, Oriade Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Osogbo. He said the suspect, Buhari Mutari, was apprehended in the Iseyin area of Oyo State following technical analysis and actionable intelligence by police operatives.

According to the Police Commissioner, Mutari is connected to the May 7 kidnap attempt at a settlement in Ijebu-Jesa, where the principal suspect, Umaru Adamu, had earlier been arrested and paraded.

Gotan added that officers recovered over two million naira in cash from the suspect, believed to be proceeds from ransom payments.

The Commissioner also announced the arrest of three suspected cultists and ritualists in Iree.

He said a small coffin and locally made charms were recovered during the operation.

One of the suspects, Busayo Joseph, reportedly confessed to being a member of the Alora Confraternity.

In a related development, the Command arrested eight other suspects for offences including stealing and unlawful possession of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

Commissioner Gotan assured residents that the Osun State Police Command remains committed to intensifying its operations against kidnapping, cultism, and other violent crimes across the state.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday empowered more than 800 women in Kogi State and commissioned two major public projects during a one-day working visit to the state.

The projects inaugurated were the Kogi State Treasury House and a newly completed Primary Healthcare Centre located at Lokongoma Phase I in Lokoja, the state capital.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the First Lady described the projects as important investments that would strengthen public service delivery and improve access to quality healthcare for the people of Kogi State.

She commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for prioritising infrastructure development and social welfare, noting that such projects would have a lasting impact on the lives of residents.

Tinubu also urged the people of the state to take ownership of the facilities by protecting and maintaining them for future generations.

“Quality healthcare and efficient public institutions are essential to national development. Residents should protect and make good use of these facilities,” she said.

At the Government House in Lokoja, the First Lady flagged off the distribution of empowerment materials and start-up grants to more than 800 women under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), her social investment programme.

She explained that the initiative is aimed at promoting economic empowerment, improving household incomes and supporting women, youths, children and persons with disabilities through targeted interventions.

Tinubu encouraged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the support by expanding their businesses, becoming financially independent and contributing to the economic development of their communities.

She also praised the wife of the Kogi State Governor, Hajia Sefinat Ododo, for her commitment to improving the welfare of women and other vulnerable groups across the state.

In his remarks, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo expressed appreciation to the First Lady for choosing Kogi State for the empowerment programme and for supporting initiatives that improve the lives of Nigerians.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in healthcare, infrastructure and other critical sectors to improve the wellbeing of the people.

The governor also assured that the newly commissioned Treasury House and Primary Healthcare Centre would be properly maintained to ensure they continue to provide quality services to residents.

The visit ended with interactions between the First Lady, community leaders, women groups and beneficiaries of the empowerment programme, many of whom expressed gratitude for the support and described the intervention as timely and impactful.