Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, will represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas.
This change occurred because Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was initially set to attend, had to cancel his trip due to a technical fault with his aircraft. The incident forced him to turn back on the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet.
The announcement came through a statement from Shettima’s spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, which explained that the Vice President's aircraft experienced a fault that prevented him from traveling to the summit. Although the specific aircraft wasn't mentioned, it's believed that the Vice President typically uses the Gulfstream V for such trips.
Shettima's predecessor, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, used the same Gulfstream V aircraft during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.
Under former President Buhari, the Nigerian Presidency maintained a fleet of 10 aircraft, including a Boeing Business Jet (Boeing 737-800 or NAF 001), which is currently undergoing maintenance, along with one Gulfstream 550, one Gulfstream V, two Falcon 7X, one Hawker Sidley 4000, two AgustaWestland AW 139 helicopters, and two AgustaWestland AW 101 helicopters.
The statement from Shettima's spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, did not specify the nature of the aircraft's technical issue. However, it mentioned that the Vice President has since returned to Abuja and will continue with other national duties.
The 2024 US-Africa Business Summit, held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, brings together political and business leaders from Africa, the United States, and other regions. Hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa, the summit aims to foster economic cooperation and explore investment opportunities between the United States and African countries. It features high-level discussions, networking sessions, and plenaries.
Notable African leaders expected to attend the summit include Presidents Joseph Boakai of Liberia, Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, João Lourenço of Angola, Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi of the Republic of Botswana, José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Lesotho, Nthomeng Majara.
Besides the summit's main events, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar will participate in various sessions. He is set to speak at the Roundtable on African Infrastructure Investment, focusing on impact and returns, and at a high-level panel on agribusiness that explores the transition from food insecurity to successful agribusinesses. Additionally, he will discuss Africa's energy future and chair a session dedicated to promoting the "Invest in Nigeria" initiative.
According to the statement, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar will also attend various meetings and other engagements on the sidelines of the summit.
He is expected to return to Nigeria once his schedule in the United States is complete.
