Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived in Luanda on Monday to attend the 7th African Union–European Union Summit, where he is representing President Bola Tinubu. Shettima reached the Protocol Hall around 2 p.m. local time, stepping in for the President, who remained in Nigeria amid heightened security concerns following the abduction of over 300 people in one week.
The Vice President travelled from Johannesburg on Sunday night after representing Tinubu at the G20 summit. Dressed in a white traditional outfit, he entered the venue with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar.
Officials say Shettima’s engagements at the two-day summit will focus on strengthening Africa–EU cooperation on security, trade, and regional stability. He is scheduled to join thematic discussions on peace, security, migration, and mobility. Although he is not listed as a public speaker, diplomatic sources confirm he will deliver Nigeria’s statement during a closed-door session on Monday.
The summit, themed “Promoting Peace and Prosperity through Effective Multilateralism,” is co-chaired by Angola’s President and AU chairperson, João Lourenço, and the President of the European Council, António Costa. The meeting marks 25 years of formal cooperation between the African Union and the European Union and takes place as bilateral trade reached an estimated $410bn in 2024.
Delegates will hear from leaders of the AU Commission, EU Commission and Council, the United Nations Secretary-General, and President Lourenço. Closed-door discussions on governance, security, prosperity, migration, and mobility will continue through Tuesday, ending with a joint AU–EU press briefing.
