Vice President Shettima Kashim has represented the President of Nigeria at the inauguration of the newly elected President of Gabon. In a colorful ceremony on Saturday, the new president was sworn in after emerging as the winner in the Gabonese general elections on the 12th of April.

The new President Brice Nguema succeeded the former President Ali Bongo after his death and completed his term, then contested in the general elections to begin a new term of his own. Many world leaders were present. Among them were President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bassirou Faye of Senegal, and Mahamat Idris Itno of Chad. Others are President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone, Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, Ismaili Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, and many other leaders.

In his inaugural speech, President Nguema thanked the people of Gabon and promised to address pressing national issues, particularly the issue of insecurity, crime, and infrastructure, and other basic needs. There was a lot of traditional display and cultural dance, as well as a military parade.