Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja to stand in for President Bola Tinubu at the G20 Leaders’ Summit taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa.
According to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, the decision follows President Tinubu’s choice to remain in the country to focus on pressing security issues.
The president had earlier been scheduled to attend the summit but postponed the trip to receive additional security updates regarding the recent attacks in Kebbi and Kwara States.
The G20 gathering, set for Saturday, November 22nd through Sunday, November 23rd at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, will bring together heads of state and leaders of the world’s major economies. Participants include representatives from the European Union, the African Union, and key global financial institutions, among others.
This year’s edition of the summit is hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, who currently leads the G20 group and extended the invitation to President Tinubu.
Vice President Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after concluding the summit’s scheduled activities and bilateral engagements.
What You Should Know
Vice President Kashim Shettima is attending the G20 Summit in South Africa on behalf of President Tinubu, who chose to remain in Nigeria due to recent security crises in Kebbi and Kwara States.
While world leaders gather in Johannesburg, the presidency is prioritizing national security, prompting Tinubu to delay his foreign trip and await crucial briefings.
