Shettima Departs Abuja for Ouattara’s Inauguration

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday departed Abuja for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where he will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of President Alassane Ouattara, who is beginning his fourth term in office.

The inauguration ceremony will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan, with several African and global leaders expected to attend.

President Ouattara was re-elected on October 25, 2025, extending his leadership of the West African nation, which continues to maintain strong diplomatic ties with Nigeria. Both countries enjoy close cooperation through ECOWAS and the African Union, particularly in areas of security, trade, and regional development.

Their partnership is further strengthened by a Bi-National Commission and several bilateral agreements covering anti-trafficking efforts, agriculture, and the digital economy. Economic ties are also supported by active informal trade networks and a large Nigerian community living in Côte d’Ivoire.

Vice President Shettima is accompanied on the trip by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello; and Hon. Usman Zannah, representing Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

He is expected to return to Abuja after the inauguration ceremony concludes.