Vice President Kashim Shettima departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday, heading for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications disclosed this in a statement.
He is representing President Bola Tinubu at the 2026 African Union (AU) Summit, a pivotal gathering where the continent’s top leaders will address critical resource management and development goals.
This year’s summit is particularly significant as it centers on a fundamental human right: access to clean water and sanitation.
The 2026 Summit is themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
Leaders will deliberate on how to advance continental commitments toward sustainable water management—a cornerstone for health, agriculture, and industrial growth.
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The discussions are tied to the AU’s Agenda 2063, the strategic framework for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future.
Shettima’s itinerary in the Ethiopian capital is packed with high-level statutory meetings and diplomatic engagements.
He will join Heads of State and Government at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, the African Union’s primary decision-making meeting, scheduled for February 14, 2026.
This will be followed by the 30th General Assembly on February 15, 2026, where broader administrative and continental policy matters will be concluded.
On the sidelines of the summit, he is also expected to hold bilateral talks with political and business leaders to strengthen Nigeria’s economic and strategic partnerships across the continent.
Accompanying Shettima is a high-powered delegation comprising cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
The team is focused on ensuring that Nigeria remains a leading voice in continental policy coordination and economic integration.
Shettima will participate in high-level side events aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships.
He is expected to return to Nigeria immediately after concluding his official engagements in Addis Ababa.
