Abuja – Vice President Kashim Shettima left Abuja on Sunday for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where he will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of Alassane Ouattara for a fourth term as President of Côte d’Ivoire. The swearing‑in ceremony is scheduled for Monday, December 8, 2025 at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan.
Ouattara won a fourth term on October 25, 2025, after a closely contested election. Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire enjoy cordial diplomatic relations, cooperating within ECOWAS and the African Union on security, trade and development. The two countries have a bi‑national commission and several agreements covering anti‑trafficking, agriculture and the digital economy, with strong informal trade and a sizable Nigerian diaspora in Côte d’Ivoire.
Accompanying the Vice President are HE Omar Aliyu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission; Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs; and Hon. Usman Zannah, member of the House of Representatives representing the Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri Federal Constituency.
The delegation is expected to return to Abuja after the inauguration ceremony.
“Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Abidjan to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of Mr. Alassane Ouattara for a fourth term in office as President of that country,” the press release stated.
The Vice President’s participation underscores Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with Côte d’Ivoire and the broader West African region.
The ceremony will be attended by other African leaders and dignitaries.
The Vice President will be back in Abuja at the end of the inauguration ceremony.
