Trending 
Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Shettima landed at the Freetown International Airport, Lungi, on Sunday ahead of the regional summit, where West African leaders are expected to deliberate on critical issues affecting the sub-region, including security, democratic governance, economic integration and sustainable development.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, in a statement, said Shettima was received by Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh.
He was also welcomed by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye; the Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Ayo Luther-Ogbomode; the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Ambassador Olawale Emmanuel Awe; and other officials of the Nigerian High Commission.
The presidential aide added that the Vice President “will join Heads of State and Government, ministers, senior officials, regional institutions, and business leaders at the summit taking place today, July 19, 2026, at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Freetown.”
The meeting is expected to consider major policy decisions and strategic resolutions aimed at strengthening peace and security, democratic governance, regional trade, economic integration, infrastructure development, and sustainable growth across West Africa.
The summit comes at a time when the ECOWAS region continues to grapple with terrorism, political instability, unconstitutional changes of government and economic challenges, while leaders seek to deepen regional cooperation, boost trade and strengthen collective responses to shared security threats.
Tinubu, who previously served as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, is being represented at the summit by Vice President Shettima as regional leaders deliberate on the bloc’s strategic priorities for the second half of the year.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
VP Shettima Arrives Freetown For 69th ECOWAS Summit
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of… pic.twitter.com/8058gQpoZ4
— Stanley Nkwocha (@stanleynkwocha_) July 19, 2026
