President Bola Tinubu has been absent from the World Leaders’ Summit of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) for the third consecutive year.
The two-day summit, held on 11 and 12 November in Antalya, Turkey, brings together presidents, prime ministers and heads of government to outline climate priorities, announce commitments and provide political direction for the negotiations.
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Nigeria was not among the countries scheduled to deliver national statements during the opening high-level segment.
While several African leaders attended and spoke, Tinubu’s name did not appear on the official roster.
His absence continues a pattern that began after he personally attended COP28 in Dubai in 2023.
He missed COP29 in Baku in 2024 and COP30 in Belém in 2025, when Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria.
Nigeria has registered one of the largest delegations at COP31, with 1,506 participants, ranking third behind host Turkey and Brazil, according to provisional UNFCCC figures.
The contrast between the size of the contingent and the president’s absence has drawn attention.
Other prominent leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are also not attending the leaders’ summit.
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Countries that miss the initial segment can still deliver statements when the high-level segment resumes later in the conference.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
