Vice President Kashim Shettima departed Abuja on Thursday for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he will represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2026 African Union (AU) Summit.
The summit, themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” will focus on Africa-wide strategies to improve water sustainability, strengthen sanitation systems, and advance broader development targets outlined in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
During his visit, Shettima will participate in the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government and the 30th General Assembly, scheduled for February 14 and 15, 2026. He is also expected to attend high-level side events and hold bilateral meetings with political and business leaders to enhance Nigeria’s diplomatic relations, economic collaboration, and strategic partnerships across the continent.
Accompanied by cabinet ministers and senior government officials, the Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria after completing his official engagements.
The 2026 AU Summit includes several preparatory and statutory meetings. The Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) is scheduled to meet from January 12 to 30, 2026. The Executive Council session, designed to bridge ministerial and leadership levels, will hold from February 11 to 12, while the AU Assembly will take place on February 14 and 15.
Key issues for discussion include continental integration, peace and security—particularly in Sudan, South Sudan, and the Sahel—elections to the Peace and Security Council, and economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Other priorities include sustainable agriculture under CAADP, reducing food imports, climate resilience initiatives such as the Great Green Wall, digital transformation, public health efforts led by Africa CDC, youth empowerment, and institutional reforms, including AU financing and strategic partnerships, with insights from South Africa’s G20 report.
Additional sessions will address education, governance, and healthcare, with Africa CDC dialogues on health financing and manufacturing scheduled for February 13 and 14.
