VP Shettima Jets Out to Addis Ababa for 2026 African Union Summit

By Emmanuel Kwada 

Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima departed Abuja on Thursday for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government, commonly referred to as the 2026 AU Summit.

The departure was confirmed by multiple official sources and media reports, with the Vice President traveling to participate in the high-level continental gathering on behalf of the Nigerian leader.

The summit, taking place from February 14 to 15, 2026, at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, is convened under the AU’s Theme of the Year: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

This theme underscores the urgent need for strengthened continental commitments to sustainable water management, improved sanitation infrastructure, and climate-resilient systems.

Discussions will emphasize water as a shared resource essential for peace, public health, economic development, and the realization of the African Union’s long-term Agenda 2063 blueprint for a prosperous and integrated Africa.

The 48th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council, comprising foreign ministers, opened on February 11, 2026, setting the stage for the Heads of State assembly. AU Commission Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf highlighted the theme’s importance, noting that amid climate disruptions, water must be treated as a collective good to foster cooperation and stability across member states.

Pre-summit activities, including side events organized by partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and civil society platforms like ECOSOCC, have focused on translating commitments into funded actions particularly around gender-responsive water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives, groundwater investments, and inclusive governance.

Nigeria’s participation, led by Vice President Shettima, aligns with the country’s ongoing efforts to address domestic water and sanitation challenges while contributing to broader African priorities.

The summit is expected to produce key declarations and action frameworks aimed at accelerating progress toward Agenda 2063 goals, including improved access to safe water and sanitation amid growing climate pressures and population demands.

The Vice President’s travel forms part of Nigeria’s active engagement in continental diplomacy, as the nation continues to play a prominent role in AU affairs. Further details on Nigeria’s specific contributions and outcomes from the summit are anticipated as proceedings unfold.

The AU Summit remains one of the continent’s premier platforms for addressing shared challenges and advancing collective development aspirations.