Shettima Resumes Duties Two Days Early After Two-Week Leave

Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria and resumed official duties two days ahead of the scheduled end of his two-week leave.

Shettima returned to Abuja late on Tuesday, August 18, according to officials working with the Vice President who confirmed his arrival on Wednesday.

The Vice President was, however, absent from Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.

Shettima commenced the two-week leave on August 6, following approval by President Tinubu.

The leave was his first since he was sworn into office on May 29, 2023.

At the time, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, said the leave would provide an opportunity for study, reflection and intellectual renewal.

He said Shettima would also use the period to review the administration’s ongoing programmes and deepen his understanding of emerging national and global policy issues ahead of the next phase of implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Vice President has continued to coordinate and supervise several strategic government initiatives, particularly in economic development, food security, humanitarian affairs, digital transformation, job creation and regional cooperation.

He also chairs the National Economic Council, which comprises the governors of the 36 states, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other public officials.

Shettima’s early return comes as campaigns for the 2027 general elections officially commence.

The Vice President is expected to resume his responsibilities fully as the administration intensifies preparations for the next phase of its programmes and the 2027 political season.