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 summit, scheduled to take place from February 14 to 18, 2025, will bring together African leaders to discuss pressing issues affecting the continent.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed Tinubu’s arrival in a statement released in the early hours of Friday. According to the statement, the President was received at the airport by Ethiopian Deputy Chief of Protocol, Eshetu Legesse, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Charge d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia, Nasir Aminu.
Shortly after his arrival, President Tinubu held a late-night briefing with Foreign Minister Tuggar, who updated him on Nigeria’s diplomatic achievements at the summit. Among the highlights was the re-election of Bankole Adeoye as African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security. Additionally, Nigeria secured its seat on the AU Peace and Security Council, reinforcing the country’s leadership role in fostering peace and stability across Africa.
Several key government officials accompanied the President, including Finance Minister Wale Edun, Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru, Trade and Investment Minister Jumoke Oduwole, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, Information and National Orientation Minister Muhammed Idris, Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal, and Minister of State for Finance Doris Uzoka-Anite. Also in attendance were the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
This year’s AU Summit is themed ‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations’ and will focus on reparatory justice and racial healing. President Tinubu is set to deliver a speech at the AU Peace and Security Council summit-level meeting, where discussions will center on escalating security concerns, including the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Additionally, the Nigerian leader will participate in high-level discussions on critical issues such as health financing, the establishment of an African Credit Rating Agency, and climate change. His engagements at the summit are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic influence and contribute to policy discussions shaping the continent’s future.
President Tinubu is scheduled to return to Abuja on Monday, February 17, 2025.
