VP Shettima Heads to Ethiopia to Represent Tinubu at 2026 AU Summit on Water and Sanitation

Nigeria strengthens continental diplomacy as AU leaders meet to discuss sustainable water and sanitation initiatives

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2026 African Union (AU) Summit, officials confirmed on Thursday.

A statement from Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), said the summit, themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” will focus on advancing Africa-wide commitments toward sustainable water management, improved sanitation, and broader development objectives under the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.

Key Engagements at the Summit

Vice President Shettima will join African heads of state at the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government and the 30th General Assembly, scheduled for February 14–15.

On the sidelines, Shettima is expected to attend high-level side events and hold bilateral meetings with political and business leaders, aiming to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships across the continent.

He is travelling with a delegation of cabinet ministers and senior government officials and will return to Nigeria after completing his engagements in Addis Ababa.

The visit underscores Nigeria’s continued commitment to regional cooperation on key development issues, particularly water and sanitation, which remain critical to the continent’s sustainable growth.