Shettima Returns After G20, AU–EU Missions

Vice President Kashim Shettima returned to Abuja on Monday following a week of high-level diplomatic engagements in South Africa and Angola, where he represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit and the 7th African Union–European Union (AU–EU) Summit.

Shettima’s diplomatic shuttle began in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he stood in for President Tinubu at the G20 Summit, delivering Nigeria’s position on global economic reforms, financial governance, and critical mineral development. The Vice President departed South Africa on Sunday for Luanda, Angola, where the AU–EU Summit convened heads of state and top government representatives to discuss Africa–Europe cooperation.

At the AU–EU gathering, Shettima presented President Tinubu’s message, restating Nigeria’s demand for Africa to secure permanent, veto-wielding seats on the United Nations Security Council, insisting that the global governance structure is overdue for comprehensive reform. The President’s statement emphasized that Africa’s exclusion from key decision-making platforms undermines global equity, stability, and development.

President Tinubu also urged the European Union to deepen peace and security collaboration with Africa through African-led frameworks, describing such partnerships as vital to achieving lasting stability across the continent. He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to peace, security, democratic governance, and joint development efforts with the EU.

During the G20 Summit earlier in Johannesburg, Shettima conveyed President Tinubu’s call for a more equitable international economic system, stressing the urgency of addressing global financial flow imbalances and recurring debt crises. The Nigerian leader argued that current multilateral institutions were designed for “an era far removed from today’s complexities,” and therefore require bold reforms to better serve both developed and developing nations.

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In another intervention delivered on Sunday at the G20 Summit’s third session, the President advocated for a global framework that guarantees host communities in Nigeria and Africa a fair share of the economic benefits from their critical mineral resources, emphasizing value addition at the source. He also supported the development of global ethical standards for artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure responsible innovation and shared prosperity.

Vice President Shettima’s return marks the conclusion of a diplomatic mission that Nigerian officials say strengthens the country’s voice on global governance reforms, economic fairness, and Africa-focused development priorities.