Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed Abuja on Thursday for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2026 African Union (AU) Summit, a presidential statement said.
The summit is the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union and will include the 30th General Assembly scheduled for February 14 and 15, 2026.
Delegations from AU member states are attending to discuss continental priorities under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” according to announcements from summit organisers.
Nigeria is participating as a member state through official delegations led by senior government officials, including its vice-president.
The AU Summit is a key annual meeting for heads of state and government to deliberate on policy directions, regional cooperation and development issues affecting the continent.
A statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Vice President, said Shettima is representing President Tinubu at the summit in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.
The summit’s theme focuses on enhancing sustainable water management and safe sanitation systems across African countries, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 development goals.
While in Ethiopia, Shettima is expected to join other African leaders at the summit’s main sessions and participate in high-level side events.
He will hold bilateral engagements with political and business leaders aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic and strategic partnerships across the continent.
Shettima is travelling with cabinet ministers and other senior government officials to the summit, the statement said.
Shettima’s representation of Nigeria at the AU Summit underscores the country’s engagement in continental cooperation on key development issues, including water and sanitation systems, regional integration, and shared strategic interests among African states.
Participation in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements at such summits can reinforce diplomatic ties and support Nigeria’s role in multilateral discussions on infrastructure, governance, and economic development within Africa.
