Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly, as Nigeria records a landmark diplomatic gain with the grant of a permanent seat on the Board of the proposed African Central Bank.
The summit, scheduled for February 14–15, 2026, will focus on advancing Africa’s shared development priorities under the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
Shettima was received at the Bole International Airport by Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Belete Mola; State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Berhanu Tsegaye; Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; the Head of the Nigerian Embassy in Addis Ababa; and other senior government officials.
The Vice President’s participation follows what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described as significant diplomatic and institutional achievements recorded by Nigeria at the just concluded 48th Session of the Executive Council of the African Union.
A major highlight of the session was the Council’s agreement to grant Nigeria a permanent seat on the Board of the African Central Bank — a development seen as reinforcing the country’s strategic role in shaping Africa’s financial architecture.
The decision also extends Nigeria’s representation to the Board of the Technical Convergence Committee of the African Monetary Institute, the body serving as precursor to the establishment of the African Central Bank. The development underscores Nigeria’s technical capacity, economic weight and commitment to advancing Africa’s monetary integration agenda.
In the area of peace and security, the session witnessed the successful election of candidates presented collectively by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), including Nigeria, to the Peace and Security Council of the African Union. The outcome was described as reflecting strong regional cohesion and a shared commitment to promoting stability and collective security across the continent.
Nigeria also demonstrated leadership in strengthening democratic governance by organizing a Ministerial High-Level Panel Discussion on Regional Partnerships for Democracy. The event drew ministers, senior government officials and delegates from across Africa and the international community, facilitating dialogue on reinforcing democratic institutions, inclusive governance and collaborative regional approaches to sustaining democratic values.
The Federal Government said Nigeria’s engagements and outcomes at the 48th Executive Council session reaffirm its commitment to the ideals of the African Union, particularly in promoting economic integration, institutional development, peace, security and democratic governance.
As the 39th AU Assembly gets underway, attention will be on how member states consolidate efforts toward Agenda 2063 and advance Africa’s long-term development and integration goals.
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