Vice President Kashim Shettima has landed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, stepping in to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly. The high-level summit, which kicks off this weekend, brings together leaders from across the continent to deliberate on the future of Africa’s unity and development.
Upon his arrival at Bole International Airport, the Vice President was warmly received by a high-powered Ethiopian delegation, including Dr. Belete Mola, the Minister of Innovation and Technology, and State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye. Joining them was Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, alongside senior officials from the Nigerian Embassy who were already on the ground to facilitate Nigeria’s participation.
The atmosphere surrounding Nigeria’s delegation is one of significant diplomatic triumph. Ambassador Tuggar highlighted that Nigeria has already secured major wins during the preliminary meetings of the AU Executive Council. Most notably, the Council has agreed to grant Nigeria a permanent seat on the Board of the African Central Bank—a decision that cements the country’s influence over the continent’s future financial systems.
This move is seen as a major nod to Nigeria’s economic weight and technical expertise. Beyond the central bank, the country has also secured a spot on the Board of the Technical Convergence Committee of the African Monetary Institute. These positions are crucial, as they place Nigeria at the heart of the decision-making process for Africa’s unified monetary integration.
On the security front, there is a renewed sense of unity within the West African bloc. Nigeria and its neighbors in ECOWAS successfully pushed through a collectively agreed list of candidates for the AU Peace and Security Council. This level of cooperation is being hailed as a vital step toward fostering stability and addressing the various security challenges currently facing the continent.
Nigeria isn’t just focusing on finance and security; it is also taking a front-row seat in the conversation about how Africa is governed. The delegation recently hosted a high-level ministerial panel focused on regional partnerships for democracy. This session brought together delegates from across Africa to discuss how to build stronger, more inclusive institutions that can withstand the pressures of the modern political climate.
As the main summit gets underway, the Federal Government has reaffirmed its dedication to the core ideals of the African Union. The goal remains clear: to work hand-in-hand with fellow member states to drive sustainable development and shared prosperity for all Africans.
