Shettima Departs Abuja to Represent Tinubu at 2026 AU Summit

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2026 African Union (AU) Summit.

The summit, themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” will focus on strengthening continental commitments to sustainable water management, improved sanitation infrastructure, and broader development targets outlined in the AU’s long-term Agenda 2063 framework.

While in Ethiopia, Shettima will participate in the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government and the 30th General Assembly, scheduled for February 14 and 15, respectively.

According to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the Vice President is also expected to attend high-level side events and hold bilateral meetings with political and business leaders to advance Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic interests across Africa.

Shettima is accompanied on the trip by cabinet ministers and other senior government officials and is expected to return to Nigeria after completing his official engagements at the summit.