Vice-President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of President Alassane Ouattara for a fourth term in office.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice-President), Mr Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed this on Sunday in Abuja.

According to Nkwocha, Shettima will join other leaders across Africa and beyond at the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Monday at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan.

“Vice President Kashim Shettima @officialSKSM has departed Abuja for Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT at the inauguration of Mr Alassane Ouattara @AOuattara_PRCI for a fourth term in office as President of that country.

“Senator Shettima is expected to join other leaders across Africa and beyond to witness activities lined up for the swearing-in ceremony scheduled to hold on Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan,” the statement read.

Ouattara was re-elected for a fourth term in office on October 25.

Nkwocha added that both nations collaborate significantly within ECOWAS and the African Union on security, trade and development, formalised through a Bi-National Commission and several agreements

“The agreements cover areas like anti-trafficking, agriculture and the digital economy, with strong informal trade and a significant Nigerian diaspora in Côte d’Ivoire, fostering deep bilateral economic and social connections,” he said.

Nkwocha noted that the Vice-President was accompanied by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Abubakar Bello; and Rep. Usman Zanna, representing Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri Federal Constituency.

He added that the Vice-President is expected back in Abuja at the end of the inauguration.