President Bola Tinubu is set to embark on a significant diplomatic journey this week, visiting two key African nations for high-level international summits. The President will depart from Abuja on Wednesday, heading first to Johannesburg, South Africa, and then to Luanda, Angola.
G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg
The primary purpose of the President's visit to South Africa is his participation in the 20th G20 Leaders' Summit, scheduled for November 22–23, 2025. The event will be held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre. President Tinubu is attending upon the invitation of his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, who currently chairs the G20. It is noteworthy that an earlier invitation was also extended by Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during his country's leadership of the group in 2024.
The summit, which brings together the leaders of the world's largest economies, will operate under the theme "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability." Over the two days, discussions will be organized into three main plenary sessions. These will cover a wide range of critical global issues, including:
- Inclusive and sustainable growth, international trade, financing for development, and the pressing issue of global debt.
- Disaster risk reduction, the challenges of climate change, the push for a just energy transition, and the future of global food systems.
- The evolving future of work, the role of critical minerals, the rise of artificial intelligence, and the pursuit of equitable development worldwide.
Bilateral Engagements and AU-EU Summit
On the sidelines of the G20 gathering, President Tinubu is expected to hold several strategic bilateral meetings. These discussions are aimed at advancing his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda and bolstering regional and international cooperation, particularly in the areas of peace, security, and economic development for Nigeria.
Following the conclusion of the G20 Summit, the President's itinerary will take him to Luanda, Angola, for the 7th African Union-European Union Summit. This high-level meeting is slated for November 24–25, 2025. The AU-EU Summit will assemble Heads of State and Government, alongside young leaders, innovators, and representatives from civil society organizations.
The focus in Luanda will be on addressing shared continental priorities. Key topics on the agenda include climate adaptation strategies, infrastructure development, digital transformation, the growth of creative industries, agribusiness opportunities, and fostering inclusive development across Africa.
Official Delegation and Domestic Matters
President Tinubu will be accompanied by a delegation of senior Nigerian government officials. This team includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; the Minister of Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
The President is scheduled to return to Nigeria after concluding these important international engagements.
In a related domestic development, President Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit Kebbi State. The Vice President's mission is to sympathize with the state government and reassure the parents and guardians of recently kidnapped schoolgirls that the federal government is taking all necessary steps to secure their swift and safe release.
Furthermore, the President has sent his condolences to the Nigerian military following the tragic death of soldiers, including Brigadier General Musa Uba, who were killed while combating insurgents in Borno State. President Tinubu, who has been fully briefed on both incidents, expressed profound sadness over the abduction, especially in light of prior intelligence warnings about a potential attack by the bandits. He also commended Governor Mohammed Nasir Idris of Kebbi State for the efforts made to prevent the kidnapping.
