The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, is set to represent President Bola Tinubu at the upcoming 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas, following a last-minute alteration prompted by a technical fault with Vice President Kashim Shettima’s aircraft.
The Presidency disclosed in a statement on Monday evening, signed by Shettima’s spokesperson, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, that the original plan for Vice President Shettima to attend had to be abandoned due to the unforeseen aircraft issue. While specifics regarding the aircraft were not provided, it is suggested that Shettima typically utilizes the Gulfstream V aircraft, a model previously employed by his predecessor, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
The Presidential Air Fleet, comprising several aircraft, including Gulfstream and Falcon models, has been a consistent feature during the Buhari administration. Though details regarding the fault were not elaborated upon, Nkwocha confirmed that Vice President Shettima has safely returned to Abuja to resume his national duties.
The US-Africa Business Summit, a prominent gathering scheduled at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, will assemble political and business figures from Africa, the United States, and beyond. Organized by the Corporate Council on Africa, the summit aims to facilitate economic cooperation and explore investment prospects between the US and African nations.
The event is expected to host several African leaders, including Presidents Joseph Boakai of Liberia, Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, Joao Lourenço of Angola, and others. The summit agenda includes dialogues, networking sessions, and plenaries addressing critical topics such as infrastructure investment, agribusiness, and energy prospects across the African continent.
Minister Tuggar’s itinerary at the summit includes participation in discussions on African infrastructure investment impact, transitioning to thriving agribusinesses, and navigating Africa’s energy future. Additionally, he will chair a session promoting the ‘invest in Nigeria’ initiative, emphasizing the country’s investment potential.
Following his engagements in the US, Minister Tuggar is expected to return to Nigeria, concluding his representation at the summit.
