Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday left Abuja for Johannesburg to stand in for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa.
The development comes after President Tinubu opted to remain in the country to address escalating security challenges in Kebbi and Kwara states.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the current chair of the G20, had invited Tinubu to join this year’s summit.
The summit, scheduled for November 22–23, will hold at the Johannesburg Expo Centre. It will convene heads of the world’s major economies, alongside representatives of the European Union, the African Union and key global financial institutions.
According to Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria immediately after concluding the summit’s sessions.
President Tinubu had earlier postponed his attendance at both the 20th G20 Summit and the 7th AU–EU Summit in Luanda, Angola.
The announcement, issued on November 19 by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, cited recent attacks and abductions as major factors behind the decision. The statement, titled “President Tinubu Postpones Trip to G20 and AU–EU Summits for Further Security Briefings, Directs Military, Police to Deploy More Men to Kwara,” said the President needed updated security reports before travelling.
Tinubu is awaiting comprehensive briefings on two major incidents: the kidnapping of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the attack on worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.
Following appeals from the Kwara State government, Tinubu ordered the deployment of additional troops and police officers to Eruku and neighbouring communities in the Ekiti Local Government Area. He also directed security agencies to intensify efforts to track down the attackers.
“Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi State and Monday’s attack on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, President Tinubu decided to suspend his departure,” the statement noted.
Meanwhile, Fresh Abductions Reported in Niger
Nigeria experienced another security setback on Friday when gunmen reportedly abducted more than 53 pupils and staff from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State. The attack occurred between 2am and 3am.
The Niger State Government confirmed the incident, describing it as disturbing and saying officials are still verifying the exact number of abducted victims as security agencies continue their assessment.
