Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on a state visit at the invitation of Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali on a mission aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and advancing environmental and industrial cooperation between the two nations.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima is expected to participate in the official launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Programme—an ambitious environmental initiative designed to combat deforestation, promote biodiversity, and counter the effects of climate change through the planting of 20 billion tree seedlings over four years.
“The Vice President’s participation in the Green Legacy Programme underscores Nigeria’s commitment to regional climate action and sustainable environmental practices,” the statement said.
In furtherance of shared development goals, Vice President Shettima will embark on a comprehensive tour of Ethiopia’s key industrial zones and agricultural facilities.
Sites to be visited include the Adama Industrial Zone, Mojo Poultry Farm, Shera Dibandiba Mojo Family Integrated Farm, Lume Avocado Nursery Site, and the Bishoftu Pea Youth Farm, strategic centers that have driven Ethiopia’s progress in food production, agro-processing, and youth-led agricultural entrepreneurship.
The Vice President’s itinerary also features a State Dinner hosted in his honour at the National Palace by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The dinner is expected to reaffirm the warm diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Ethiopia, which has been historically rooted in cooperation on military support, peacekeeping missions, and regional economic initiatives.
Nigeria and Ethiopia have, in recent years, intensified dialogue on shared challenges and mutual interests within the African Union and other multilateral platforms.
The current visit by Vice President Shettima is anticipated to reinforce these conversations while opening new avenues for investment, technology transfer, and climate-smart agriculture.
Senator Shettima is accompanied by senior government officials and technical experts from relevant ministries and agencies.
