VP Shettima arrives in Ethiopia for UN Food Systems Summit

…donates 2,000 cashew seedlings to strengthen bilateral ties

By Kunle Sanni –

Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday to represent Nigeria at the second United Nations Food Systems Summit, scheduled from July 27 to 29.

He was received at Bole International Airport by Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Temesgen Tiruneh, and Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Ethiopia, Ambassador Nasir Aminu, alongside other top officials.

Shortly after arrival, Shettima met with members of the Nigerian delegation to discuss the country’s priorities for the summit, focusing on food security, agricultural innovation, and strategic partnerships. Attendees included Marion Moon, Executive Secretary of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU).

Shettima is expected to attend various high-level sessions, including roundtables on public finance, trade, responsible investment, and transforming the coffee value chain. He will also participate in field visits and networking events.

Ahead of the summit, Nigeria donated 2,000 cashew seedlings and 100,000 cashew seeds to Ethiopia. The gift, covering 600 hectares of farmland, was received by Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Efa Muleta Boru.

The gesture follows Ethiopia’s earlier donation in June of 2,000 Hass avocado and 2,000 coffee seedlings to Nigeria, showcasing growing agricultural diplomacy between the two nations.

The cashew seedling donation aligns with Nigeria’s “Green Revolution Diplomacy” initiative, a key aspect of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to drive agricultural transformation and food security across Africa.

Shettima reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to leading the continent’s food system reform, fostering private-sector collaboration, and strengthening regional partnerships to achieve sustainable agricultural growth.