Shettima To Represent Tinubu At G20 Summit In South Africa

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday departed Abuja for Johannesburg, South Africa, where he is expected to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit.

His trip follows President Tinubu’s decision to remain in Nigeria to oversee urgent national security matters, particularly the recent violent incidents recorded in parts of Kebbi and Kwara States.

The G20 Summit, scheduled for Saturday, November 22nd to Sunday, November 23rd at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, will host leaders of the world’s top 20 economies, alongside the European Union, the African Union, major financial institutions, and invited international organisations.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, who currently chairs the G20, extended the formal invitation to President Tinubu to participate in this year’s high-level gathering focused on global economic stability, emerging markets, sustainable development, and international cooperation.

According to the Presidency, Vice President Shettima will be standing in for the President throughout the summit’s plenary sessions, bilateral meetings, and key side engagements.

The Vice President is expected to articulate Nigeria’s priorities on economic reforms, foreign investment, job creation, energy transition, and global partnerships aimed at strengthening national and regional stability.

He will also engage with world leaders and major financial institutions to push Nigeria’s case for stronger commitments toward development financing, infrastructure support, and security collaboration.

President Tinubu had earlier been scheduled to travel to Johannesburg but opted to postpone the trip in order to receive further security updates and coordinate national responses to the heightened tension in the affected northern states.

In the past week, concerns over abductions, attacks, and emerging threats prompted the Commander-in-Chief to hold a series of emergency security briefings with service chiefs, intelligence agencies, and state authorities.

A senior Presidency official noted that the President’s decision to stay back “reflects his commitment to ensuring that every necessary measure is taken to protect citizens, reinforce security deployments, and restore confidence across vulnerable communities.”

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The official added that the President has instructed the military and police hierarchy to intensify operations, stabilize affected areas, and provide continuous updates on the evolving situation.

Meanwhile, at the G20 Summit, Nigeria is expected to push for stronger representation of African interests, especially on global finance reform, climate funding, and energy equity.

As the continent faces rising debt pressures and economic vulnerabilities, the summit provides an avenue for Nigeria Africa’s largest economy to advocate for fairer terms in international finance, expanded investment pipelines, and more inclusive decision making frameworks.

Vice President Shettima’s agenda also includes meetings with global investors, multinational development partners, and leaders of countries with whom Nigeria seeks deeper economic ties.

Diplomatic sources say discussions will likely focus on renewable energy investments, digital transformation, infrastructure partnerships, and Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms aimed at stabilizing the naira, expanding local production, and attracting foreign direct investment.

International analysts view this year’s summit as a critical moment for emerging economies like Nigeria, given global concerns over inflation, food security, energy costs, and geopolitical tensions. Nigeria’s participation is also seen as vital for advancing Africa’s collective interests, especially with the African Union now a permanent member of the G20.

Vice President Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the summit engagements. The Presidency affirmed that President Tinubu will continue receiving real time briefings from the Nigerian delegation and security chiefs while maintaining close oversight of domestic developments.

The Vice President’s representation, officials say, underscores Nigeria’s commitment to its global responsibilities even as it confronts pressing internal challenges.