Abuja, Nigeria – Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima will depart Abuja on Saturday, 12 July 2025, for São Tomé, the capital of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the nation’s 50th National Independence Day celebration. The visit comes amid growing concern over President Tinubu’s absence from public view, with no sightings or statements from the President reported anywhere in the world for five consecutive days.
Senator Shettima will join other African and international leaders for the grand finale of the Golden Jubilee festivities, marking 50 years of São Tomé and Príncipe’s independence. The event will feature official speeches, vibrant parades, cultural performances, and traditional dances, showcasing the nation’s rich heritage and unity.
The relationship between Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe is rooted in robust bilateral cooperation, particularly through the Nigeria-São Tomé and Príncipe Joint Development Authority (NSTPJDA). This partnership focuses on the joint management of resources in the Gulf of Guinea’s Joint Development Zone (JDZ). Beyond resource collaboration, Nigeria has extended various forms of support to São Tomé and Príncipe, including technical assistance, donations, and aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vice President Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria following the conclusion of the celebrations in São Tomé.
The Vice President’s representation at this high-profile event underscores Nigeria’s commitment to regional partnerships, even as questions linger about President Tinubu’s whereabouts.
