Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he will represent President Bola Ahmed 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.

The summit, themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” will focus on improving water access and sanitation across Africa. Leaders are also expected to review progress on broader development targets outlined in the AU’s long-term Agenda 2063 framework. The gathering aims to strengthen cooperation among member states in tackling shared challenges.

During his stay, Shettima will attend the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government as well as the 30th General Assembly, scheduled for February 14 and 15. He is also expected to participate in side events and hold meetings with political and business leaders to deepen Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic ties across the continent.

According to the statement, the Vice President is accompanied by cabinet members and senior government officials. He is expected to return to Nigeria after completing his official engagements in Ethiopia. The visit underscores Nigeria’s continued involvement in continental discussions and development initiatives.