Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on an official state visit following an invitation from the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali. The visit underscores Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations and exploring sustainable development partnerships across Africa.
During the high-level engagement, Vice President Shettima is expected to participate in the official launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Programme, a flagship environmental campaign introduced by the Ethiopian government. The ambitious initiative aims to plant 20 billion tree seedlings over a four-year period, targeting deforestation, promoting biodiversity, and tackling the adverse impacts of climate change across the region.
Beyond environmental advocacy, the Vice President’s itinerary includes a strategic tour of Ethiopia’s major industrial and agricultural development hubs. These include the Adama Industrial Zone, Mojo Poultry Farm, Shera Dibandiba Mojo Family Integrated Farm, Lume Avocado Nursery Site, and the Bishoftu Pea Youth Farm, facilities considered crucial in Ethiopia’s pursuit of agro-industrial transformation.
To further cement bilateral ties, the Ethiopian Prime Minister will host Vice President Shettima and his delegation to a State Dinner at the National Palace in Addis Ababa, marking a significant gesture of goodwill and partnership between both nations.
Nigeria and Ethiopia have enjoyed decades of cordial relations, including cooperation in military training, peacekeeping missions, and regional security initiatives. This latest diplomatic engagement aims to deepen mutual collaboration in agriculture, industrialization, food security, and climate action, as both countries navigate evolving development priorities on the continent.
The Vice President’s visit is seen as part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to bolster South-South cooperation and position itself as a key player in Africa’s collective response to environmental and economic challenges.
