Shettima arrives South Africa for G20 summit

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

At the summit, Shettima is expected to advance Nigeria’s agenda on economic cooperation, security partnerships, climate financing, and global development.

This was stated in a release by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, on Friday.

The statement confirmed that Shettima will engage with global leaders and development partners throughout the summit.

The Vice President’s attendance follows President Tinubu’s last-minute cancellation of his scheduled trip to South Africa on Wednesday, November 19.

“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 statement read.

The President remained 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, which will take place 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.

Shettima, who touched down at 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.