Tinubu lands in Ethiopia for 38th AU Summit

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union, AU, Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

The summit is scheduled to take place from February 14 to 18.

Tinubu’s arrival was confirmed in a statement issued early Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled “President Tinubu Arrives Ethiopia for AU Summit.”

“The President was received at the airport by the Ethiopian Deputy Chief of Protocol, Eshetu Legesse, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the charge d’affaires of the Nigerian embassy in Ethiopia, Nasir Aminu,” the statement read.

Tuggar later briefed President Tinubu on the summit’s proceedings and key diplomatic achievements for Nigeria.

Among the highlights was the re-election of Bankole Adeoye as the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security. Additionally, Nigeria secured its seat on the AU Peace and Security Council, a development Tuggar described as a reaffirmation of the country’s leadership and commitment to peace and stability across the continent.

Present at the briefing were Ministers Wale Edun (Finance), Abubakar Badaru (Defence), Jumoke Oduwole (Trade and Investment), Festus Keyamo (Aviation), Muhammed Idris (Information and National Orientation), Balarabe Lawal (Environment), and Doris Uzoka-Anite (State for Finance). 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, themed “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” centers on reparatory justice and racial healing.

President Tinubu is set to deliver a speech at the AU Peace and Security Council’s Summit-level meeting, where discussions will address pressing security challenges, including the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Additionally, he will participate in high-level meetings focused on health financing, the establishment of an Africa Credit Rating Agency, and climate change initiatives.

“Tinubu will be expected to return to Abuja on Monday, February 17,” the statement concluded.