Shettima Heads to Ethiopia to Represent Nigeria at Second UN Food Systems Summit

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed from Abuja on Sunday, en route to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to officially represent Nigeria at the second edition of the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS). The summit is scheduled to hold from July 27 to 29, and is expected to convene world leaders to evaluate ongoing progress since the maiden event held in 2021.

This high-level global summit will serve as a platform for countries to intensify efforts and coordinate initiatives aimed at building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems that benefit all nations. Leaders will focus on accelerating reforms and sharing strategic models for food security in alignment with global sustainability goals.

A statement issued on Sunday by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), confirmed Vice President Shettima’s participation. According to the statement, he is set to feature in multiple strategic events, most notably a dialogue session centered on transforming the global coffee value chain.

Additionally, Shettima will attend ministerial-level roundtable discussions that will address critical themes such as:

• Public financing for agricultural growth
• Trade facilitation for food sector development
• Responsible investment in food system infrastructure

Beyond formal sessions, the summit will also include side events such as field excursions, networking engagements, and interactive knowledge-sharing forums, designed to promote collaboration among stakeholders.

Nkwocha emphasized that Nigeria’s goals for attending the summit are three-pronged:

1. To position Nigeria as a thought leader in food systems innovation and reform throughout the African continent.
2. To harness global partnerships that are in alignment with Nigeria’s national development agenda.
3. To champion a private sector-driven model for sustainable food transformation, which can scale across Africa.

The United Nations is organizing the event in collaboration with the governments of Ethiopia and Italy, alongside a coalition of development partners under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework.

Vice President Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria upon conclusion of his official engagements in Addis Ababa.