Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the G20 Leaders’ Summit, where he is expected to push Nigeria’s case on economic cooperation, security partnerships, climate financing, and global development.
Shettima, who touched down at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, was received by the 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; South Africa’s Chief Director for West Africa, Nyameko Goso; and Small Business Development Minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, among other officials.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed that Shettima will engage with global leaders and development partners throughout the summit.
His attendance follows Tinubu’s last-minute cancellation of his scheduled trip to South Africa on Wednesday, November 19.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
“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 President stayed back in Abuja to receive high-level security briefings in the wake of the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the deadly attack on worshippers at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.
The meeting, holding from November 22 to 23 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, brings together leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies, alongside representatives of the European Union, the African Union, and major international financial institutions.
This year’s summit, themed “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” will focus on strengthening global economic recovery, unlocking financing for development, easing debt pressures on emerging economies, addressing climate change impacts, and ensuring fairer global food systems.
Shettima is expected to participate in three high-level panel sessions covering these priorities.
Beyond the plenary engagements, the Vice President will also hold a series of bilateral meetings aimed at securing partnerships aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while also discussing regional peace and security concerns.
Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria at the end of the global engagements.
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