By Abiola Olawale
Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Guinea-Conakry to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of President Mamadi Doumbouya.
The inauguration ceremony for President Doumbouya, who secured a landslide victory in the December 2025 presidential election, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the GLC Stadium in Nongo, Conakry.
According to a statement from the Vice President’s Media Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima’s participation highlights Nigeria’s strategic role in supporting Guinea’s return to democratic order following a four-year military transition period that began after the 2021 coup.
The statement also added that the trip aims to deepen bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and Guinea.
Following his engagement in Guinea-Conakry, Vice President Kashim Shettima will proceed to Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, to participate in the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF 2026), scheduled from January 19 to 23, 2026.
There, he is expected to engage with global leaders and investors on Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, investment prospects, and Africa’s contributions to a more resilient global economy.
“It is part of Nigeria’s leadership role within ECOWAS, which includes supporting Guinea’s return to constitutional order, following a four-year transition.
“Beyond diplomatic solidarity, the visit aims to deepen bilateral trade, which recently saw Nigerian exports to Guinea, particularly manufactured goods and agricultural products, increasing to $3.29 million,” the statement noted.
The New Diplomat reports that with the development, the President and Vice President are out of the country at the same time.
Tinubu is currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
