Shettima, African Leaders Attend Gabon President’s Inauguration
In a strong display of solidarity for democratic governance in Africa, Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, joined other African leaders and dignitaries on Saturday for the inauguration of Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema as the President of Gabon.
The ceremony, held at the Stade de l’Amitié sino-gabonaise in Libreville, came after President Nguema’s electoral victory on April 12, 2025, in which he defeated seven other candidates to become Gabon’s democratically elected leader. Nguema had served as interim president for twenty months following a change in government and the ouster of former President Ali Bongo.
The inauguration was marked by grand military parades, cultural displays, and an atmosphere of national pride. Thousands of Gabonese citizens thronged the stadium to witness the historic transition.
In his address, President Nguema expressed gratitude to the people of Gabon for their overwhelming support, which he said underscored their confidence in his leadership. He pledged to prioritize national development, youth empowerment, and security reforms. He also vowed to tackle the pressing issue of water supply and work closely with international bodies like the United Nations.
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Calling for unity across the continent, Nguema urged African nations to embrace peaceful coexistence and mutual cooperation.
Vice President Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the ceremony, was accompanied by Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, and Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President). The delegation has since returned to Abuja.
Also in attendance were numerous African heads of state, including Presidents Teodoro Obiang Nguema (Equatorial Guinea), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), John Dramani Mahama (Ghana), Faustin-Archange Touadéra (Central African Republic), Adama Barrow (The Gambia), Julius Maada Bio (Sierra Leone), Félix Tshisekedi (DR Congo), Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal), Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno (Chad), Denis Sassou Nguesso (Republic of Congo), Ismaïl Omar Guelleh (Djibouti), Umaro Sissoco Embaló (Guinea-Bissau), and Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), among others.
The event further highlighted Africa’s collective commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting regional cooperation.
