Vice-President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, scheduled for February 14–15, 2026. The summit, themed “Ensuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” will focus on strengthening continental commitments to water security, improved sanitation, and the broader development objectives of the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
Shettima was received at Bole International Airport by Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Belete Mola, and State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Berhanu Tsegaye. Also present were Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, senior officials from the Nigerian Embassy, and other government representatives. Tuggar briefed the Vice-President on the summit’s schedule and highlighted Nigeria’s recent diplomatic successes within the African Union.
According to Tuggar, Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa’s economic integration was reinforced at the 48th Session of the Executive Council of the AU. Key achievements include securing a permanent seat on the Board of the African Central Bank, a move that underscores Nigeria’s strategic influence on the continent’s financial architecture. In addition, Nigeria earned representation on the Board of the Technical Convergence Committee of the African Monetary Institute, a step toward the eventual establishment of the African Central Bank.
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On peace and security, Nigeria-backed candidates, supported by ECOWAS, were successfully elected to the AU Peace and Security Council, reflecting regional solidarity and a commitment to continental stability. Nigeria also hosted a Ministerial High-Level Panel Discussion on Regional Partnerships for Democracy, convening ministers and senior officials from Africa and the international community to discuss strengthening democratic institutions, inclusive governance, and regional cooperation.
Vice-President Shettima is expected to participate in high-level side events and bilateral meetings with African political and business leaders to reinforce Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships. Observers note that Nigeria’s active engagement at the summit signals the country’s ongoing role in shaping Africa’s development, governance, and financial institutions.
