Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja to represent the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the Group of Twenty Leaders’ Summit taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa.
According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President’s trip follows the President’s decision to remain in Nigeria to oversee critical national security matters. Okay News reports that President Tinubu made this adjustment after receiving intelligence updates on recent violent incidents in Kebbi State and Kwara State.
Nkwocha explained that the President had earlier planned to travel to South Africa for the summit but postponed his participation in order “to await further security briefings on the recent security incidents in Kebbi and Kwara States.” His absence led to the delegation of Vice President Shettima to represent the country at one of the world’s most significant multilateral economic platforms.
The Group of Twenty Summit, scheduled for Saturday, November twenty second, and Sunday, November twenty third, will be hosted at the Johannesburg Expo Centre. The forum brings together leaders of the world’s twenty major economies, top policy makers, the European Union, the African Union, and global financial institutions to deliberate on pressing global economic and geopolitical challenges.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who currently holds the presidency of the Group of Twenty, had formally invited President Tinubu to participate in the high-level gathering. Nigeria is expected to use this engagement to further strengthen diplomatic ties and advance economic cooperation with other leading economies.
Vice President Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria upon the completion of all scheduled meetings and engagements at the summit.
