Nigerian ambassador is next UN General Assembly president

Members of the United Nations General Assembly have chosen the Nigerian ambassador to the world body as its next president.

They elected Tijjani Muhammad-Bande (teeh-JAH’-neeh moo-HAH’-mahd BAN-deeh) by acclamation Tuesday to preside over the 74th U.N. session for one year, starting in September.

He’s the second Nigerian president of the 193-member General Assembly. Joseph Nanven Garba was president during the 1989-1990 session.

Muhammad-Bande succeeds Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador.

He told General Assembly members that when they convene in September, priorities will include climate change, universal health coverage, gender equality and the eradication of poverty and hunger.

The 61-year-old diplomat was born in Zagga, in northwest Nigeria, and has a master’s degree in political science from Boston University and a Ph.D. in the same field from the University of Toronto.