Nigeria on Saturday reaffirmed its leadership role within the West African sub-region as Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, attended the swearing-in and inauguration of Mamadi Doumbouya as President of Guinea.
The ceremony, held at the GLC Stadium in Nongo, Conakry, followed President Doumbouya’s victory in the December 2025 general elections, which formally ended a four-year military transition in the country.
Shettima’s outing in Conakry was highlighted in a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.
His presence at the inauguration underscored Nigeria’s commitment to democratic governance and regional stability, reinforcing its long-standing leadership role within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Under Guinea’s new constitution, approved by national referendum in September 2025, President Doumbouya is to serve a single seven-year term, renewable once.
The revised charter extended the presidential tenure from five to seven years.
The inauguration attracted several African leaders, particularly from West Africa, including representatives from Ghana, Senegal, The Gambia, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda and South Africa.
Other dignitaries in attendance included the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, alongside presidents and senior officials from Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and other African states.
In his inaugural address, President Doumbouya pledged to uphold Guinea’s constitution and democratic principles, vowing to pursue transparent governance and protect the interests of all Guineans.
He assured that peace and national cohesion would remain non-negotiable under his administration.
Nigeria’s participation, officials said, aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which positions the country as a stabilising force in the region while advocating democracy as a foundation for shared prosperity.
Shettima’s visit also served as a strategic engagement to strengthen bilateral ties and expand the economic corridor between Nigeria and Guinea, as the colourful ceremony drew a massive turnout of citizens amid fanfare in the Guinean capital.
