Many world leaders are in Nigeria to witness Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inauguration as the fifth President of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, the 16th leader since independence.
Dignitaries, representatives of foreign governments, diplomats and heads of international organisations arrived in Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Sunday, for the inauguration of Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s president.
World leaders to be seen at the colourful event included the Presidents of South Africa, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Burundi, Liberia, the Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, the Central Africa Republic, Gabon, the Prime Minister of Morocco, the Vice President of Venezuela and many more.
Presidents and heads of governments who have arrived are Mahamat Idriss Déby (Republic of Chad), Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania), Abdelmadjid Tebboune (Algeria), Nana Akufo Addo (Ghana), Macky Sall (Senegal), Julius Maada Bio (Sierra-Leone), Adama Barrow (Gambia), Denis Sassou Nguesso (Congo Brazzaville), Mohamed Bazoum (Niger), Paul Kagame (Rwanda) and Joseph Ngute (Cameroon Prime Minister).
The France delegation is led by Minister Delegate for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou.
Canadian delegation, led by the Canadian Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Hussein Ahmed, has arrived in the country.
The Japanese delegation is led by Special Envoy to Prime Minister of Japan, Tanaka Kazunori.
India’s Defence Minister Mr Rajinath, will lead the country’s delegation to the inauguration.
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, said: “The visit of Mr Rajnath Singh reflects the growing bilateral relations between India and Nigeria and signifies India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria.”
Cote d’Ivoire’s Foreign Affairs Minister will represent the Prime Minister, Patrick Jerome Achi.
The United States delegation for the inauguration led by the US Secretary for Housing, Secretary Marcia Fudge touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday afternoon.
It should be noted that President Joe Biden had announced that a United States delegation led by Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia L. Fudge will attend the inauguration ceremony of Tinubu taking place today.
The US Mission in Nigeria, on Sunday, announced their arrival via Twitter ahead of the transition ceremony.
Welcome to Nigeria! We are excited to receive the delegation from @POTUS Biden, led by @SecFudge from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, as they join us in Abuja for the inauguration of President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu pic.twitter.com/BsHBQG1U0U
— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USinNigeria) May 28, 2023
After eight years in office, President Muhammadu Buhari will step down and be replaced as the head of the armed forces.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, will administer the oath of office and allegiance on Tinubu and Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima today.
Additionally, there will be a vibrant military parade including leaders and personnel from the Army, Air Force, and Navy.
Once Tinubu assumed the role of Commander in Chief, the new president will salute.
The ceremony will be seen by no less than 5,000 dignitaries in Eagle Square, which has served as the location for presidential swearing-ins ever since the Fourth Republic’s founding in 1999.
Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adu (2007–2010), Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (2010–2015), and Olusegun Obasanjo (1999–2007)
Below are images of some of the dignitaries:
President Macky Sall of Senegal
Paul Kagame of Rwanda
Burundi Head of State, Evariste Ndayishimiye
Angola’s Minister of External Relations, Téte António, representing President João Lourenço
Niger Republic President, Mohamed Bazoum
