‘Don’t Visit Trump— Ex-Envoy Warns Tinubu Over U.S. President’s Genocide Remark

Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines and veteran broadcaster, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against paying a visit to U.S. President Donald Trump, describing such a move as politically insensitive and diplomatically unnecessary.

This follows Trump’s recent announcement designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged persecution of Christians, while also warning that Nigeria could lose U.S. aid if it fails to address insecurity.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, monitored by Daily Post in Abeokuta, Farounbi urged Tinubu to avoid actions that suggest Nigeria is seeking validation from leaders who “have little regard for Africa’s dignity.”

“Nigeria’s president represents the soul of over 200 million people. He should not visit anyone who once called African nations ‘shithole countries,’” Farounbi said. “We must act like a nation that values itself, not one begging to be recognized.”

The veteran diplomat blamed Trump’s recent pronouncement on Nigeria’s “weak and reactive diplomacy,” describing the U.S. action as a predictable outcome of silence and inaction.

He noted that for years, Catholic bishops from Benue and Plateau States have appeared before the U.S. Congress and European Parliament, presenting statistics of Christians killed by militants, yet the Nigerian government failed to offer a strong counter-narrative.

“When you refuse to speak for yourself, others will speak for you,” he warned. “And when they do, they will not tell your story with fairness.”

Farounbi further expressed concern that Nigeria has not maintained a full-fledged ambassador in Washington, leaving the country’s image largely undefended. He pointed out that international bodies often rely on reports from advocacy groups and NGOs, many of which operate with bias or a limited understanding of Nigeria’s complexities.

The former envoy called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen Nigeria’s embassies, empower its diplomats, and ensure a consistent and factual representation of the nation’s realities on the global stage.

He also urged the government to confront insecurity not through propaganda but through justice, fairness, and respect for human rights.

“Only when we lead with justice can we reclaim our dignity before the world,” Farounbi added.