President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate in the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government.
The President touched down on Thursday night and was received at the airport by Ethiopian Deputy Chief of Protocol, Eshetu Legesse; Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; and Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Ethiopia, Ambassador Nasir Aminu.
Following his arrival, Ambassador Tuggar briefed President Tinubu on key summit proceedings and Nigeria’s recent diplomatic achievements, in a session that extended until about 2 a.m. on Friday. Among the notable successes was the re-election of Ambassador Bankole Adeoye as AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security. Additionally, Nigeria retained its seat on the AU Peace and Security Council, reaffirming, in Ambassador Tuggar’s words, “Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to peace and security on the continent.”
Several senior government officials attended the briefing, including Minister of Finance Wale Edun; Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru; Minister of Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo; Minister of Information and National Orientation Muhammed Idris; Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal; and Minister of State for Finance Doris Uzoka-Anite.
This year’s AU Summit is centered on the theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” focusing on reparatory justice and racial healing.
President Tinubu is set to deliver a speech at the summit-level meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council, where discussions will address pressing security concerns across the continent, including the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The President is expected to return to Abuja on Monday, February 17.
