There are strong indications that Nigeria’s current security situation and economic challenges will feature prominently, as Vice-President Kashim Shettima presents Nigeria’s position at the G20 Summit.
Shettima, who arrived in South Africa on Friday evening, is scheduled to engage foreign leaders and development partners on issues relating to the economy, security, climate change, among others.
It was also gathered that he will engage in high-level diplomatic discussions that will enable him to effectively present a true picture of the ongoing security situation in Nigeria.
The G20 Summit presents a unique platform for Nigeria to convince global leaders of the need to partner with the country in addressing security threats posed by ISWAP, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups wreaking havoc across the country.
The summit is taking place in the wake of Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” by U.S. President Donald Trump, following ongoing debates around alleged attacks on Christians in Nigeria. The Nigerian government has, however, rejected the U.S. position.
The Vice-President, who is representing President Bola Tinubu, has been mandated to use the opportunity to convey Nigeria’s true position to the global community as part of efforts to tackle terrorism.
President Tinubu, who was initially billed to attend the summit, made a last-minute decision to stay back to personally coordinate the response to recent security threats and efforts to rescue the 24 schoolgirls kidnapped in Manga local government area of Kebbi State.
The Nigerian government has also reiterated its commitment to confronting security challenges head-on while calling for global support and partnerships to end the killing of innocent citizens.
Vice-President Shettima is supported at the high level global engagements by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
President Bola Tinubu was earlier scheduled to be in South Africa on Wednesday, following an invitation from his counterpart and current G20 President, Cyril Ramaphosa. However, Tinubu cancelled his trip and delegated Vice-President Kashim Shettima to represent him, as he remains in Nigeria to receive security briefings after the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi state, and the attack on worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.
The G20 meeting is scheduled to hold from November 22 to 23 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre and will feature leaders of the world’s top 20 economies, as well as representatives of the European Union, the African Union, and key financial institutions.
Themed “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” the two-day summit will afford participants, including Vice President Shettima, the opportunity to deliberate extensively on issues concerning the economy, financing for development and debt, climate change, and equitable food systems during three panel sessions.
Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria at the end of the engagements.
