Shettima lands Ethiopia for 39th AU summit

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.

The high-level meeting is scheduled to take place from February 14 to February 15, 2026, and will bring together leaders from across the continent to discuss key development issues affecting Africa.

This year’s summit is themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

Discussions will centre on strengthening Africa’s commitment to sustainable water management, improving sanitation systems and advancing broader development objectives outlined in the AU’s long-term development plan, Agenda 2063.

The gathering will be held in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital that serves as the headquarters of the African Union.

On arrival at the Bole International Airport, Shettima was received by Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr Belete Mola, and the State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye.

The summit is expected to provide a platform for African leaders to renew commitments towards sustainable development and closer cooperation among member states.

Also present to welcome him were Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; senior officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Addis Ababa; and other government representatives. Tuggar subsequently briefed the Vice-President on his itinerary and planned engagements at the summit.

In a statement issued on Friday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tuggar outlined Nigeria’s diplomatic strides at the just-concluded 48th Session of the Executive Council of the AU.

He said Nigeria recorded significant diplomatic and institutional achievements that consolidated its leadership role in advancing Africa’s economic integration.

Speaking on peace, security, and democratic governance at the session, Tuggar said a major highlight of the meeting was the Council’s agreement to grant Nigeria a permanent seat on the Board of the African Central Bank.

He described this as a landmark development underscoring Nigeria’s strategic role in shaping Africa’s financial architecture.

According to him, the decision also extends Nigeria’s representation to the Board of the Technical Convergence Committee of the African Monetary Institute, the precursor to the establishment of the African Central Bank.

He noted that these developments affirmed Nigeria’s technical capacity, economic significance, and commitment to advancing Africa’s monetary integration agenda.

In the area of peace and security, Tuggar said the session witnessed the successful election of collectively agreed candidates presented by the Economic Community of West African States (including Nigeria) to the Peace and Security Council.

According to him, the outcome reflects strong cohesion and unity among ECOWAS Member States and their shared commitment to stability across the continent.

Tuggar added that Nigeria also demonstrated leadership in strengthening democratic governance by organising a Ministerial High-Level Panel Discussion on Regional Partnerships for Democracy.

The event was attended by ministers, senior officials, and delegates from across Africa and the international community.

The panel, he said, facilitated constructive dialogue on strengthening democratic institutions, fostering inclusive governance, and enhancing regional collaboration.

He reaffirmed that Nigeria’s engagements at the session reflected its commitment to the ideals of the African Union, particularly in promoting economic integration, institutional development, peace, security, and democratic governance.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria remains dedicated to working collaboratively with Member States and regional bodies to advance Africa’s shared prosperity and sustainable development,” he stated.

On the margins of the ongoing summit, Shettima is expected to participate in high-level side events and hold bilateral meetings with political and business leaders aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic and strategic partnerships across the continent.

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