Shettima’s Leave Is No Holiday – Presidency Says As VP Retreats Into Books

• The Presidency says Vice President Kashim Shettima’s ongoing two-week leave is not a holiday but a deliberate period of intensive study, reflection and intellectual renewal.

• Photographs released by the Office of the Vice President show Shettima immersed in books, with aides describing the break as part of his long-standing culture of lifelong learning.

• Presidential spokesman Stanley Nkwocha says effective leadership demands continuous learning, insisting greater responsibility makes the pursuit of knowledge even more essential.

• Shettima, who began the leave on August 7, is expected to resume official duties around August 20 after what the Presidency describes as a leadership retreat focused on preparing for more effective service to Nigeria.

August 10, () — The Presidency has said Vice President Kashim Shettima is spending his ongoing two-week leave immersed in books, reflection and personal development rather than leisure, describing the period as a deliberate investment in intellectual renewal and more effective public leadership.

Photographs released on Monday by the Office of the Vice President showed Shettima reading during his break from official duties, with presidential aides insisting the leave is not a holiday but an opportunity to sharpen his knowledge and leadership capacity.

The Vice President, who commenced the leave on August 7, is expected to resume official duties around August 20.

In a statement posted on his official X account, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Shettima has made it a tradition to devote periods of leave to study and reflection.

“As predicted by many, during his two-week leave, Vice President Kashim Shettima, by custom, takes time for study and reflection”, Nkwocha stated.

He explained that stepping away from the rigours of daily governance provides an opportunity to reassess ideas, examine policy issues more critically and return to public service with renewed clarity and focus.

According to him, leadership is strengthened when those entrusted with public office remain committed to expanding their knowledge.

“Leadership is sustained by the willingness to keep learning. For the Vice President, the period is also an opportunity to deepen the knowledge required for continued service to Nigeria”, he said.

Nkwocha added that the demands of high office make continuous learning even more indispensable.

“Learning does not end when responsibility begins. In many ways, greater responsibility makes learning even more necessary”, he added.

Tradition Of Continuous Learning

The Presidency said Shettima’s current routine reflects his long-standing belief that intellectual growth should remain a constant pursuit regardless of the pressures of office.

Officials maintained that the temporary break is intended to provide the Vice President with the time to engage deeply with books and ideas capable of enriching policy thinking and improving governance outcomes.

The Presidency further argued that leadership is not measured solely by day-to-day decision-making but also by the willingness to pause, reflect and acquire fresh perspectives that can shape future actions.