In a sudden change of plans, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, will now represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas. This decision comes after Vice President Kashim Shettima was unable to attend due to technical issues with his aircraft, as revealed by the Presidency in a statement issued Monday evening by Shettima’s spokesperson, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha.

The statement, titled ‘Minister of Foreign Affairs To Now Represent President Tinubu at US-Africa Summit,’ clarified that despite the setback, Vice President Shettima has returned to Abuja and will continue with his national duties.

The summit, hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, aims to facilitate economic cooperation and explore investment opportunities between the United States and African countries. It will feature political and business leaders from various African nations, including Presidents Joseph Boakai of Liberia, Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, Joao Lourenço of Angola, Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi of Botswana, José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Lesotho, Nthomeng Majara.

Minister Tuggar is scheduled to participate in several key sessions, including the Roundtable on African Infrastructure Investment and a high-level panel on agribusiness. Additionally, he will address a plenary session on Navigating Africa’s Energy Future and chair a session promoting the ‘invest in Nigeria’ initiative. The statement also mentions his participation in various meetings and engagements on the sidelines of the summit.

Minister Tuggar is expected to return to Nigeria upon the completion of his engagements in the US.