Tinubu's UN Trip in Doubt Amid Protest Concerns

President Bola Tinubu's anticipated trip to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, scheduled between September 22 and 28, 2026, is in doubt due to security concerns regarding a planned protest by Nigerians in the United States. Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to represent Nigeria if Tinubu's decision to cancel is confirmed.

The protest is reportedly organized to confront Tinubu over controversies related to records sought from US law enforcement agencies, specifically concerning his activities in Chicago during the early 1990s. This situation is compounded by a Freedom of Information Act case pending in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, which involves requests for records from the FBI and DEA.

The lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., engaged by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, is advocating for the release of these records. The controversy escalated when the firm alleged that individuals connected to Tinubu attempted to offer $3 million for information regarding the records.