Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived in Luanda, Angola, on Monday to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 7th African Union–European Union Summit.
Shettima reached the Protocol Hall around 2:00 p.m. local time, stepping in for President Tinubu, who chose to stay in Nigeria to manage security concerns following the abduction of over 300 people in just one week.
He traveled from Johannesburg late Sunday, shortly after attending the G20 summit on behalf of the President. Wearing a white traditional outfit, the Vice President entered the summit venue alongside Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar.
Officials familiar with his itinerary said Shettima’s two-day engagement will focus on enhancing Africa–EU collaboration in security, trade, and regional stability.
He is expected to take part in two thematic sessions addressing Peace, Security, Migration, and Mobility.
Although he is not listed as a public speaker in the official programme, diplomatic sources confirmed that he will present Nigeria’s statement during a four-hour closed-door session on Monday.
The summit, themed “Promoting Peace and Prosperity through Effective Multilateralism,” is co-chaired by Angola’s President and current AU chairperson, João Lourenço, and the President of the European Council, António Costa.
The event also marks 25 years of structured cooperation between the two blocs, with Africa–EU trade projected to reach $410bn in 2024.
Delegates will hear addresses from the heads of the AU Commission, European Commission and Council, the United Nations Secretary-General, and host President Lourenço.
Closed-door sessions covering governance, security, prosperity, migration, and mobility will continue through Monday and Tuesday, concluding with a joint AU–EU press briefing.
