(DDM) – Bola Akinterinwa, former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), has said it would have been more appropriate for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally attend the ongoing United Nations summit in New York, stressing that his absence could fuel unnecessary speculations about Nigeria’s leadership role and the reasons behind his non-attendance.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Akinterinwa made the remarks in a media discussion where he examined Nigeria’s international image, particularly at a time when global leaders are gathering at the UN to address pressing challenges, including climate change, global insecurity, economic reforms, and multilateral cooperation.
According to Akinterinwa, international summits provide not just opportunities for speeches, but crucial avenues for bilateral meetings, informal negotiations, and quiet diplomacy that can directly benefit Nigeria.
He explained that even though the President may delegate officials to represent him, nothing matches the weight of direct presidential presence.
He warned that Tinubu’s absence may be wrongly interpreted by both domestic critics and international observers as either a signal of disinterest, weak health, or political distractions at home.
The former NIIA chief argued that such interpretations can quickly turn into damaging narratives, especially in the age of social media where misinformation spreads rapidly.
Observers note that Nigeria’s past leaders have used UN summits as platforms to project influence.
For instance, former President Olusegun Obasanjo often leveraged the UN stage to push debt relief campaigns, while President Goodluck Jonathan emphasized security and anti-terrorism cooperation during his tenure.
In 2023, Tinubu himself used the UN podium to call for reforms in global finance, climate action support for Africa, and fairer trade partnerships.
Akinterinwa said that skipping such gatherings risks reducing Nigeria’s visibility and diluting its bargaining power on international issues that directly affect its citizens.
He acknowledged that domestic pressures, ranging from economic challenges to political opposition, might explain Tinubu’s decision, but stressed that diplomacy demands consistency and symbolic presence.
Nigeria, being Africa’s largest economy and most populous country, is often expected to take leadership roles in regional and global matters.
Experts believe that when Nigeria is absent from major summits, it creates a vacuum that other African states quickly fill.
This is not the first time Tinubu’s international appearances have sparked debate. His absence from certain global economic forums earlier this year drew criticism, though his aides argued that domestic policy reforms required his immediate attention.
Diplomatic analysts say Akinterinwa’s warning reflects wider concerns within Nigeria’s foreign policy community that the country risks slipping into international irrelevance if it fails to balance local governance with proactive global engagement.
As discussions continue, Nigerians at home and abroad are now left asking: What message does Tinubu’s absence from the UN send to the world, and what opportunities has Nigeria lost in the process?
The post Ex-NIIA DG faults Tinubu’s UN absence, warns of rising speculations first appeared on Diaspora Digital Media DDM.
