The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, has asked the Federal Government to explain why Palestine, Gaza and the two-state solution were absent from Nigeria’s national address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Friday, the group’s Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, said the omission marked a notable change from Nigeria’s position at the preceding General Assembly.
Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered Nigeria’s 2026 statement on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The 24-paragraph address covered reform of the UN Security Council, armed conflicts, humanitarian access, climate finance, artificial intelligence and changes to the global financial system. It did not specifically mention Palestine, Gaza or the two-state framework. MPAC said the omission stood in contrast to Nigeria’s 2025 UNGA address, which discussed the war in Gaza and restated the country’s support for a two-state settlement.
At the 80th UNGA, Shettima said Nigeria believed “without stuttering and without doubt” that a two-state solution offered the Palestinian people the most dignified route to lasting peace. He also said Palestinians should not be treated as collateral damage and deserved the same freedoms and dignity as everyone else. MPAC asked why Nigeria’s position appeared to have changed within a year. The group further pointed to Nigeria’s growing diplomatic and security engagement with Israel under the Tinubu administration.
Pointing at Potential Reason
In August 2025, Nigeria and Israel held political consultations that addressed security, counter-terrorism, intelligence cooperation and specialised training. Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has also disclosed discussions on broader collaboration in defence, intelligence, technology and other areas of mutual interest.
MPAC raised the possibility that the expanding relationship may have affected Nigeria’s latest UN position, while acknowledging that it had not provided evidence proving a connection.
The organisation urged the Federal Government to support South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and to make security cooperation with Israel subject to accountability. It also called for a clearer public position on Palestine and asked the government to explain any change in policy.
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