Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he will represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2026 African Union (AU) Summit.
The trip was confirmed in a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
According to the statement, this year’s summit is themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” with discussions expected to centre on Africa’s water security, sanitation challenges, and broader continental development priorities.
Shettima will join fellow African leaders at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government, alongside the 30th General Assembly, scheduled for February 14 and 15, 2026.
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Beyond the main plenary sessions, the Vice President is also expected to participate in high-level side meetings and bilateral engagements with political and business leaders.
These interactions are aimed at deepening Nigeria’s diplomatic ties, boosting economic cooperation, and strengthening strategic partnerships across Africa.
Nkwocha noted that Shettima is travelling with key cabinet members and senior government officials.
He added that the Vice President will return to Nigeria after completing his official engagements in Ethiopia.