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 (AU).
The summit, scheduled for February 14 to 15, 2026, will deliberate on the theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” with leaders expected to strengthen continental commitments to sustainable water management, sanitation systems and broader development targets under the AU’s Agenda 2063 blueprint.
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.
In a statement by the spokesperson of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Tuggar highlighted Nigeria’s diplomatic gains at the just-concluded 48th Session of the Executive Council of the AU.
He said Nigeria secured significant institutional milestones, including a permanent seat on the Board of the African Central Bank.
According to him, the development underscores Nigeria’s strategic role in shaping Africa’s financial architecture and extends the country’s representation to the Board of the Technical Convergence Committee of the African Monetary Institute, a precursor to the establishment of the African Central Bank.
Tuggar also noted progress in peace and security matters, citing the successful election of collectively agreed candidates presented by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), including Nigeria, to the Peace and Security Council.
He added that Nigeria demonstrated leadership in strengthening democratic governance by organising a Ministerial High-Level Panel Discussion on Regional Partnerships for Democracy, which drew ministers, senior officials and delegates from across Africa and beyond.
On the sidelines of the summit, Shettima is expected to participate in high-level engagements and bilateral meetings aimed at reinforcing Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic and strategic partnerships across the continent.
