Nigeria snubbed at White House summit, opposition blames Tinubu
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Nigeria left off White House summit guest list — Opposition slams Tinubu for damaging the country's global image.
Nigeria Snubbed at White House Summit: Opposition Blames Tinubu for Diplomatic Setback
Nigeria’s absence from the upcoming African leaders’ summit in the United States has sparked fierce criticism from the country’s political opposition, who blame President Bola Tinubu for what they describe as a diplomatic embarrassment and a reflection of Nigeria’s declining global standing.
In a scathing statement released Wednesday, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — part of Nigeria’s recently formed opposition alliance — accused the Tinubu administration of presiding over poor economic governance and weak foreign policy that led to Nigeria being excluded from the White House-hosted summit.
A “Damning International Indictment”
The ADC’s Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, did not hold back in his criticism.
“Although we are Africa’s largest economy, with the largest consumer market and the continent’s most influential diaspora, the United States chose to bypass us,” Abdullahi said. “This is a damning international indictment.”
The White House summit, set to run from July 9 to 11, will see U.S. President Donald Trump meet with the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal — five relatively small West African nations whose combined economic output is significantly smaller than Nigeria’s.
A Pivot in U.S. Strategy
The summit will focus on trade, investment, and regional security, aligning with the Trump administration’s “trade not aid” approach to development in Africa.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted at the shift in diplomatic focus, stating that the U.S. would prioritize partnerships with African countries that have demonstrated “both the ability and willingness to help themselves.”
While Rubio didn’t mention Nigeria by name, observers say the comments offer a possible explanation for the deliberate omission of Africa’s most populous nation.
Rising Tensions Between U.S. and Nigeria
The diplomatic snub follows worsening relations between Washington and Abuja in recent weeks. Tensions escalated further on Sunday, when Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that the U.S. would impose an additional 10% tariff on Nigeria and other BRICS-aligned countries, accusing them of promoting “anti-American” policies.
This comes in the wake of Nigeria’s decision to officially join BRICS as a partner country earlier this year, aligning itself more closely with emerging powers such as China, Russia, and Brazil.
Speaking at the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil earlier this week, President Tinubu called for a “reevaluation of the current global governance structure” — a statement interpreted by many as a subtle critique of Western-dominated institutions and policies.
Opposition: A Warning Sign for Nigeria’s Reputation
Abdullahi said that Nigeria’s exclusion from the summit was unthinkable just a few years ago and warned that it was a sign of diminishing respect for Nigeria on the global stage.
“It shows just how far our global standing has declined under this administration,” he said.
The opposition also criticized the Tinubu government’s foreign policy orientation, accusing it of prioritizing rhetoric over strategic alliances and alienating long-standing global partners.
What Does This Mean for Nigeria?
Nigeria’s economic size, strategic location, and demographic weight have traditionally made it a first-choice partner for many Western governments. Its absence from a high-level summit in Washington raises serious questions about how the country is now viewed by major international stakeholders.
Analysts say that as the U.S. strengthens its economic ties with smaller West African nations, Nigeria risks becoming marginalized unless it reassesses its diplomatic strategy and rebuilds key alliances.
Whether this exclusion is a one-off event or the beginning of a more prolonged diplomatic cooling remains to be seen — but for now, the message from Washington is clear: Nigeria is not on the guest list.
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