Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria's capital city of Abuja following his successful representation of President Bola Tinubu at two major international summits in Southern Africa.
Diplomatic Engagements in Johannesburg and Luanda
The Vice President concluded his diplomatic mission on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, after attending both the 2025 G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg and the 7th African Union-European Union Summit in Luanda, Angola. Shettima had traveled directly from South Africa to Angola on Sunday to fulfill both critical diplomatic assignments.
During the AU-EU Summit in Luanda, the Vice President delivered President Tinubu's official address, which contained Nigeria's strong position on global governance reform. President Tinubu renewed calls for Africa to secure permanent, veto-wielding seats on the United Nations Security Council, emphasizing that comprehensive reform of the global governance architecture is long overdue.
Nigeria's Key Positions at International Forums
The Nigerian leader's message at the AU-EU Summit also urged the European Union to collaborate with Africa in developing peace and security initiatives rooted in African-led frameworks. He described such partnerships as essential for achieving lasting stability across the continent.
Earlier at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, President Tinubu, represented by Shettima, advocated for several crucial global reforms:
- A more equitable mechanism for managing global financial flows
- Collective action to address recurring sovereign debt crises
- A global framework ensuring host communities of critical minerals benefit through value addition
- Establishment of global ethical standards for Artificial Intelligence
The President noted that current multilateral frameworks no longer reflect today's complex world, having been "built in an era far removed from present challenges."
Security Measures in Kwara State
While the Vice President was engaged in diplomatic missions, President Tinubu took decisive security action back home. On Tuesday, the President ordered a total security cordon around forests in Kwara State following a surge in kidnappings and terrorist activities.
According to Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, the President has directed the Nigerian Air Force to intensify aerial surveillance over deep forest areas where criminals are believed to be hiding. The operation will run continuously with air assets maintaining constant communication and coordination with ground troops.
The same security directive applies to the Kebbi and Niger State axes, where joint operations are expected to facilitate the rescue of kidnapped victims. Communities in affected regions have been urged to provide timely intelligence on suspicious movements to aid security forces in restoring safety.
Nigeria continues to demonstrate its commitment to both international diplomacy and domestic security, addressing global governance issues while simultaneously tackling internal security challenges.
