Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima has touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, bringing to a close a whirlwind diplomatic tour that took him from the inauguration grounds of Guinea-Conakry to the snowy peaks of Davos, Switzerland.

The VP’s return marks the end of a strategic mission to rebrand Africa’s giant. In Davos, amidst the global elite, Shettima wasn't just a spectator; he was a salesman. He commissioned the "Nigeria House," a sovereign pavilion designed to showcase the country not as a basket case, but as a business case. "Nigeria has reclaimed a frontline seat in global conversations," he declared upon arrival.

Diplomacy on Two Fronts

Shettima’s itinerary highlights the duality of Nigeria's foreign policy: securing the neighborhood while courting the world. In Conakry, he represented President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of President Mamadi Doumbouya, reinforcing Nigeria's role as the "Big Brother" of ECOWAS. In Switzerland, he pitched the "Renewed Hope" agenda to investors wary of currency volatility and security risks.

• The Stops: Guinea (Regional Politics) and Switzerland (Global Economics).
• The Win: Launch of "Nigeria House" at WEF.
• The Goal: Attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to stabilize the Naira.

The Kenyan Parallel

For observers in Nairobi, Shettima’s aggressive economic diplomacy mirrors our own government's globetrotting strategy. Both nations are locked in a fierce competition to be the "Gateway to Africa." As Nigeria polishes its image in Davos, Kenya must ask: are we doing enough to keep our seat at the table?

Shettima returns to a domestic in-tray full of challenges, but for a brief week, he reminded the world that the giant of Africa is waking up.