Shettima to represent Tinubu at 2024 CHOGM in Samoa

President Bola Tinubu has designated Vice President Kashim Shettima to head Nigeria’s delegation at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. This announcement was made by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, in a statement on Sunday titled “VP Shettima To Represent President Tinubu At CHOGM 2024.”

According to the statement, VP Shettima will participate alongside King Charles of England and other leaders from 56 Commonwealth nations at the inaugural CHOGM taking place in Apia, Samoa, from October 21 to 26. The discussions will revolve around the theme, “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth,” which aims to highlight how member nations can leverage their collective strengths, enhance resilience, and promote a digitally connected Commonwealth.

During this assembly, Nigeria and other nations will also be involved in the election and appointment of the next Commonwealth Secretary-General. Following the revised Agreed Memorandum on the Establishment and Functions of the Commonwealth Secretariat (2022), the new Secretary-General will be selected from the African region. Candidates for this position hail from Lesotho, Ghana, and The Gambia, with Nigeria poised to play a significant role as the largest African member.

Building on the achievements from CHOGM 2022, Shettima and fellow leaders will engage in discussions regarding the global economy, as well as environmental and security issues. They will explore collaborative ways for Commonwealth countries to enhance resilience, stimulate trade and innovation, and empower the 1.5 billion youth within the Commonwealth for a more sustainable and peaceful future.

Additionally, the Vice President is anticipated to utilize the Commonwealth Business Forum as a platform to attract foreign investment to Nigeria, engaging global business experts in finding solutions to pressing issues. He will also be involved in the People’s Forum, which offers a significant opportunity for citizens to connect with leaders on development matters, and will take part in various bilateral meetings and executive sessions.

This trip to Samoa marks Shettima’s 11th international destination and his 12th journey abroad. He has spent a total of 56 days overseas, visiting 10 countries across these trips, and has logged over 93 flight hours. His travels have included stops in Rome, St. Petersburg, Johannesburg, Havana, Beijing, Iowa, New York, Davos, Yamoussoukro (twice), Nairobi, and Stockholm.