ABUJA, NIGERIA — Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria from his two-week official vacation, resuming his duties two days ahead of the scheduled end of his leave.

Shettima arrived in Abuja on the evening of Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after spending almost two weeks outside the country, according to two senior officials working with the Vice President.

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One of the officials confirmed his return, saying, “He returned yesterday evening.” Another aide also confirmed that Shettima had resumed his official responsibilities, stating, “We were expecting him since yesterday. He has resumed.”

Despite his return to the country, Shettima was absent from Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja. The meeting was presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa.

Shettima’s First Official Leave Since 2023

The Vice President’s return came on the same day the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the commencement of campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Shettima had commenced his two-week break on August 6, following approval from President Tinubu. It was his first official leave since he and Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.

When the vacation was announced, the Vice President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, said the break would provide Shettima with an opportunity for study, reflection and intellectual renewal.

According to Nkwocha, the leave was also intended to enable the Vice President to review programmes being implemented by the administration and gain deeper insight into emerging policy developments in Nigeria and internationally.

He said the period would help prepare Shettima for the next phase of implementing the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Shettima’s early return means the Vice President has resumed official duties as the Federal Government prepares for the next phase of its policy implementation and political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.