Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday departed Abuja for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of President Alassane Ouattara, who is set to begin his fourth term in office.
The swearing-in ceremony will take place on Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Presidential Palace, and is expected to draw African heads of state, regional leaders, and representatives of the international community.
President Ouattara secured re-election on October 25, 2025, extending his leadership of Côte d’Ivoire, a country that shares long-standing diplomatic, economic, and security ties with Nigeria.
The two nations work closely through ECOWAS and the African Union on issues ranging from counter-terrorism to regional trade and development.
Bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire is further anchored by the Bi-National Commission and several agreements covering areas such as agriculture, anti-human trafficking, and the digital economy.
Informal trade flows and a thriving Nigerian community in Côte d’Ivoire continue to deepen socioeconomic ties between both countries.
Travelling with the Vice President are 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, who represents Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Shettima is expected to return to Abuja after the conclusion of the inauguration ceremonies.
