Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
His mission centers on pushing Nigeria’s priorities in economic cooperation, security partnerships, climate financing, and global development.
Shettima landed at Waterkloof Air Force Base and was greeted by senior Nigerian and South African officials, including Finance Minister Wale Edun, Chargé d’Affaires Alexander Ajayi, Consul General Umar Bashir, and South Africa’s Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
According to a statement from the Office of the Vice President, he is scheduled to hold discussions with global leaders and development partners throughout the summit. The engagements will focus on topics such as economic recovery, climate resilience, and regional cohesion.
Shettima’s participation comes after President Tinubu abruptly canceled his own trip to South Africa, citing urgent security briefings in Abuja. Authorities said the president remained home to monitor incidents, including a schoolgirls’ abduction in Kebbi State and a church attack in Kwara State.
The G20 Summit, running from November 22 to 23 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, convenes leaders from the world’s 20 major economies, as well as representatives from the European Union, African Union, and international financial institutions. This year’s theme, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” underscores a commitment to global recovery, development funding, and climate and food system reforms.
Over the course of the event, Shettima is expected to join three high-level panel sessions focused on those central themes. He will also lead a series of bilateral meetings to forge strategic partnerships under Nigeria’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, while addressing regional peace and security issues.