Vice-President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where he is representing President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of President Alassane Ouattara, who is beginning his fourth term in office.
Shettima’s arrival was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice-President.
According to the statement, the Vice-President was received at Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport by Prime Minister Robert Mambe and other top Ivorian government officials.
Shettima is scheduled to join heads of state, diplomats and regional representatives on Monday at the Presidential Palace for the formal swearing-in ceremony.
Nkwocha explained that the Vice-President’s attendance underscores Nigeria’s continued support for democratic transitions and constitutional leadership across West Africa.
He added that Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire enjoy longstanding cooperation through ECOWAS, the African Union, and various bilateral arrangements, including joint efforts on security, trade promotion, counter–human trafficking initiatives, agriculture partnerships and digital economy development.
“Vice-President Shettima will reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values and to productive engagement with Côte d’Ivoire,” Nkwocha stated.
Ouattara won re-election on Oct. 25, securing another term to lead the economically vibrant West African nation with strong diplomatic and commercial ties to Nigeria.
The Vice-President is expected to return to Abuja immediately after participating in the inaugural events.
