President Bola Tinubu arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Thursday night to attend the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government.
On arrival, he was received by Ethiopia’s Deputy Chief of Protocol, Eshetu Legesse, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and the Charge d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia, Ambassador Nasir Aminu.
Following his arrival, Ambassador Tuggar briefed the President on key developments related to the summit, including Nigeria’s recent diplomatic achievements.
The session, which extended into the early hours of Friday, highlighted the re-election of Ambassador Bankole Adeoye as the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security.
Additionally, Nigeria retained its seat on the AU Peace and Security Council, reinforcing its influence in continental security affairs.
Several top Nigerian government officials attended the briefing, including the 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.
Also present were the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
This year’s AU summit, themed “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” focuses on reparatory justice and addressing racial injustices.
President Tinubu is expected to speak at the AU Peace and Security Council summit, where discussions will center on Africa’s security challenges, including the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He will also participate in high-level meetings on health financing, the establishment of an Africa Credit Rating Agency, and climate change.
According to a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu is scheduled to return to Abuja on Monday, February 17.
