Shettima departs Abuja for Ouattara’s inauguration in Abidjan

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday departed Abuja for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of Alassane Ouattara for a fourth term as President of that country.

Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, said Shettima is expected to join other leaders from across Africa and beyond for the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan.

Ouattara was re-elected for a fourth term on October 25, 2025, as President of Côte d’Ivoire, a West African country that maintains cordial diplomatic ties with Nigeria.

Both nations collaborate significantly within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union on security, trade, and development, formalised by a Bi-National Commission and numerous agreements covering areas like anti-trafficking and agriculture.

Other areas include digital economy, with strong informal trade and significant Nigerian diaspora in Côte d’Ivoire, fostering deep bilateral economic and social connections.

Read also: FG targets creating 20,000 jobs annually – Shettima

The Vice President is accompanied by Omar Touray, President of ECOWAS Commission; Abubakar Bello, Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs; and Usman Zannah, member representing Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

The Vice President is expected back in Abuja at the end of the inauguration ceremony.

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