Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Addis Ababa to participate in the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government.
His arrival in the Ethiopian capital was confirmed on Thursday in a statement released by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications. Shettima is attending the summit on behalf of Bola Tinubu.
In addition to the main Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the Vice President will take part in the 30th Ordinary Session of the AU General Assembly. Both high-level meetings are slated for February 14 and 15, 2026.
Upon touchdown at Bole International Airport, Shettima was welcomed by Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete Mola. He was also received by the Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.
Other dignitaries present at the airport included the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed; the Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia, Ambassador Nasiru Aminu; the Head of Consular and Ambassador-Designate, Ambassador Geoffrey Chima; as well as other senior government officials.
Shortly after his arrival, Ambassador Tuggar briefed the Vice President on the schedule of activities lined up for the summit and Nigeria’s expected engagements.
Focus of the 2026 Summit
The theme of this year’s gathering is, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
Deliberations at the summit will concentrate on strategies for ensuring reliable water resources across the continent and strengthening sanitation systems. Leaders are also expected to assess progress toward the broader objectives outlined in the AU’s Agenda 2063 development blueprint.
Beyond the plenary sessions involving African Heads of State and Government, the Vice President will attend several high-level side events designed to foster collaboration among member states.
He is also scheduled to engage in bilateral discussions with political figures and business leaders from across the continent. These meetings are aimed at reinforcing Nigeria’s diplomatic ties, expanding economic cooperation, and advancing strategic partnerships within Africa.
Nigeria’s Gains at the Summit
Speaking with journalists after updating the Vice President, Ambassador Tuggar described the unveiling of the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) as “a strategic move to consolidate and strengthen the democratic culture in Africa”.
He further disclosed that Nigeria has already secured significant outcomes from its participation. According to him, the country has been designated as the host nation for the African Monetary Institute and the African Central Bank. He added that Nigeria has also been nominated to serve on the board of the proposed bank.
The Vice President is accompanied by cabinet members and other senior government officials for the summit.
He is expected to return to Nigeria once his official engagements in Addis Ababa have concluded.
What you should know
Vice President Shettima is representing President Tinubu at one of the African Union’s most important annual meetings, where leaders deliberate on the continent’s long-term development priorities.
The 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly provides a platform for African nations to coordinate policy direction on governance, economic integration, infrastructure, security and social development.
This year’s focus on sustainable water availability and sanitation aligns with Agenda 2063, the AU’s long-term strategic framework for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Nigeria’s reported confirmation as host of the African Monetary Institute and African Central Bank signals its ambition to play a central role in continental financial integration.
The Vice President’s bilateral engagements are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic influence within Africa.
