Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly.
The summit, scheduled for February 14–15, 2026, focuses on advancing the continent’s development priorities under the Agenda 2063 framework. Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, the Vice President was received by Ethiopian Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Belete Mola, and State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Berhanu Tsegaye, alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
Landmark Financial Diplomacy
Ahead of the Heads of State Assembly, Nigeria recorded a significant diplomatic victory during the 48th Session of the AU Executive Council. In a move that reinforces Nigeria’s influence over the continent’s financial future, the Council agreed to grant Nigeria a permanent seat on the Board of the African Central Bank.
This appointment includes representation on the Board of the Technical Convergence Committee of the African Monetary Institute—the foundational body tasked with establishing the central bank. Officials stated the decision underscores Nigeria’s technical capacity and its central role in Africa’s monetary integration.
Regional Security and Governance
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed several other key outcomes from the preliminary sessions:
Peace and Security Council: Candidates collectively presented by ECOWAS, including Nigeria, were successfully elected to the AU Peace and Security Council.
Democratic Leadership: Nigeria chaired a Ministerial High-Level Panel on “Regional Partnerships for Democracy,” drawing continental and international delegates to discuss institutional strengthening and inclusive governance.
The Nigerian delegation, which also included Minister of Finance Wale Edun, described these milestones as a consolidation of Nigeria’s leadership role in economic integration and continental stability.
