Shettima Returns to Abuja After AU-EU Summit and G20 Engagement

Vice President Kashim Shettima returned to Abuja on Tuesday evening after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 7th African Union–European Union (AU-EU) Summit in Luanda, Angola. His return follows a productive visit to the 2025 Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, earlier in the week.

Promoting Africa’s Role in Global Governance

During the AU-EU Summit, Shettima delivered a statement on behalf of President Tinubu, emphasizing the need for Africa to secure permanent seats with veto power on the United Nations (UN) Security Council. He highlighted that comprehensive reform of the global governance system is overdue, a sentiment that aligns with Nigeria’s broader diplomatic strategy.

In his address, Tinubu urged the European Union (EU) to collaborate more closely with African nations in creating peace and security initiatives. He advocated for frameworks led by African nations as a means to foster sustainable stability across the continent. Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to promoting peace, security, and democratic governance throughout Africa.

At the G20 Leaders’ Summit, which Shettima attended prior to the AU-EU event, President Tinubu called on world leaders to develop a more equitable and responsive system for managing global financial flows. He urged international stakeholders to address the recurring debt crises in a way that meets the diverse needs of all nations.

Addressing Global Challenges and Ethical Standards

In his speech delivered on Saturday, Tinubu pointed out that existing multilateral frameworks are increasingly inadequate, having been established in a different era that does not reflect current global complexities. He emphasized the necessity of a global framework that not only benefits communities hosting critical minerals in Nigeria and across Africa but also ensures value addition at the source.

Additionally, during the third session of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, Tinubu backed the establishment of global ethical standards for Artificial Intelligence (AI). He argued that such standards are vital for accelerating development worldwide, underscoring Nigeria’s proactive stance on technology and innovation.

Vice President Shettima’s diplomatic engagements in both Angola and South Africa underscore Nigeria’s active role on the international stage as it seeks to address pressing global issues and enhance its influence within multilateral organizations.