2026 AU Summit: Vice President Shettima Arrives Addis Ababa to Champion Agenda 2063
Vice President Kashim Shettima departed the nation’s capital on Thursday, February 12, 2026, for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2026 African Union (AU) Summit. The Vice President is leading a high-powered Nigerian delegation to the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government, scheduled for February 14 and 15.
Focusing on Water Security and Agenda 2063
The 2026 AU Summit is themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” This year’s deliberations are centered on accelerating continental commitments toward sustainable water management and improved sanitation infrastructure, viewed as critical pillars for the AU's long-term development blueprint.
During his stay in Addis Ababa, Senator Shettima will join other African leaders to address pressing regional challenges, including the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Comprehensive Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP).
Strategic Bilateral Engagements
Beyond the main assembly, the Vice President is scheduled to participate in high-level side events and conduct bilateral meetings with political and business leaders. These engagements are aimed at:
Strengthening Economic Ties: Exploring new investment opportunities in Nigeria’s digital economy and manufacturing sectors.
Enhancing Security Cooperation: Discussing joint responses to instability in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa.
Climate Action: Advocating for fair global climate financing and collaborative regional resilience strategies.
Preparatory Policy Advocacy
The Vice President’s arrival follows the opening of the 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, where Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, called for greater fiscal discipline and institutional accountability within the AU.
Nigeria has urged the Council to adopt a strict timeline for implementing audit recommendations and to align personnel growth with measurable performance improvements. This push for reform underscores Nigeria’s commitment to a more efficient and transparent continental body.
Delegation and Expected Return
Vice President Shettima is accompanied by several cabinet ministers and senior government officials. He is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the official summit activities on Sunday. His participation reinforces Nigeria's continued leadership role in shaping African policy and fostering deeper integration under the "Renewed Hope" foreign policy objective.
The 2026 AU Summit represents a pivotal moment for African leaders to synchronize their development efforts against a backdrop of global economic fragmentation. For Nigeria, the mission in Addis Ababa is twofold: to champion the collective interests of the continent regarding water and sanitation security, and to ensure that the AU’s institutional reforms remain on track to serve the needs of African citizens.
