In a strong show of support for democracy in Africa, Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Saturday joined other global leaders and thousands of Gabonese citizens for the inauguration of Brice Nguema as President of Gabon.
This followed Nguema’s victory in the 12 April 2025 presidential election, where he emerged winner after defeating seven other candidates.
Prior to his election, Nguema had served as interim President for twenty months, following a change in government that led to the ousting of former President Ali Bongo.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Stade de l’Amitié Sino-Gabonaise in Libreville, the Gabonese capital. It featured a military parade, march past, and a vibrant display of the country’s cultural heritage.
In his inaugural address, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema expressed gratitude to the citizens of Gabon for their overwhelming support, which enabled his emergence as a democratically elected leader.
He pledged to work tirelessly towards national development, with a focus on youth empowerment to safeguard the future of the nation.
President Nguema also vowed to tackle insecurity and rising criminality in the country, while assuring citizens that the challenge of inadequate water supply would be addressed.
He acknowledged the role of the United Nations and expressed his readiness to collaborate with the organisation. He also called for peaceful coexistence among African nations.
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Among the dignitaries in attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the event, as well as several other heads of state. These included President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic, Adama Barrow of The Gambia, Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, and Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno of Chad.
Also present were Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, and many others.
Vice President Shettima was accompanied on the trip by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, Usman Bello-Kumo, and the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, Dr Aliyu Modibbo. He has since returned to Abuja, Nigeria.
