Vice President Kashim Shettima landed in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the G20 Leaders’ Summit. The summit provides a platform for the world’s major economies to discuss key issues, including economic cooperation, security partnerships, climate financing, and sustainable global development.
Shettima, upon arrival at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, was received by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Chargé d’Affaires Alexander Ajayi; Consul General Umar Bashir; Defence Adviser Commodore Ibrahim Ari Gwaska; as well as South African officials, including the Chief Director for West Africa, Nyameko Goso, and Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
Okay News reports that a statement from the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed that the Vice President will engage with global leaders and development partners during the summit. This engagement follows President Tinubu’s last-minute cancellation of his planned trip on Wednesday, November 19, to remain in Abuja for critical security briefings following the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and a deadly attack on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
“The Vice President, who arrived on Friday evening, is scheduled to engage foreign leaders and development partners on issues relating to the economy, security, and climate change, among others,” the statement said.
The two-day meeting, taking place from November 22 to 23 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, will bring together leaders of the world’s twenty largest economies alongside representatives from the European Union, African Union, and leading international financial institutions. The 2025 summit, themed “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” will focus on global economic recovery, unlocking financing for development, easing debt pressures on emerging economies, addressing climate change impacts, and promoting fairer global food systems.
Vice President Shettima is expected to participate in three high-level panel sessions covering these priorities. In addition, he will conduct bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening partnerships aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and discussing regional peace and security concerns. He is scheduled to return to Nigeria following the conclusion of the summit.
