Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines and veteran broadcaster, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against visiting former U.S. President Donald Trump, saying such a move would be “politically insensitive and diplomatically unnecessary.”
Farounbi made this known during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, where he also blamed the recent United States designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” on the nation’s weak diplomatic response and silence in global affairs.
According to him, “Nigeria’s president represents the soul of over 200 million people. He should not visit anyone who once called African nations ‘shithole countries.’ We must act like a nation that values itself, not one begging to be recognized.”
He warned that any visit to the former American leader could be perceived as an act of desperation, especially coming after Trump’s controversial remarks on Africa and his renewed accusations against Nigeria over alleged religious persecution.
Recall that Trump had on Friday named Nigeria a “country of particular concern” over the alleged persecution of Christians and warned that the country risks losing U.S. aid if it fails to tackle insecurity.
Farounbi described the decision as the product of Nigeria’s longstanding neglect of proactive diplomacy, saying, “The U.S. designation did not happen overnight. It is a predictable outcome of our silence and inaction. 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 Nigeria offered no strong counter-narrative.”
The seasoned diplomat lamented that Nigeria has failed to maintain a full-fledged ambassador in Washington for years, leaving the country’s image undefended. “Our story was never told officially.”
“When you don’t speak for yourself, others will speak for you, and when they do, they will not tell your story with fairness,” he said
Farounbi recalled that during his active years in foreign service, Nigeria maintained a strong diplomatic presence that defended the country’s image globally through facts and engagement. “We were always represented, always heard, always respected. But today, even our diplomats lack resources and support to defend Nigeria,” he added.
He expressed concern over a recent statement by the U.S. Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, who revealed that the Department of War was preparing for possible action in Nigeria following reports of attacks on Christians. Hegseth’s reaction came after Trump’s threat of military intervention in Nigeria.
“The moment you allow your country to be defined by outsiders, you lose control of your image,” Farounbi noted. “This is not just about religion; it’s about perception and the cost of neglecting diplomatic engagement.”
The former envoy warned that the U.S. classification could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s economy and international partnerships.
He said the label could scare away investors, limit access to advanced technology, and restrict intelligence-sharing between both countries in the fight against terrorism.
“When a nation is profiled as unsafe or intolerant, investors stay away.,”
. “No one wants to channel funds into a country perceived as unstable or hostile to human rights.”he said.
He called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen Nigeria’s embassies and ensure proper representation. “Diplomacy is not about reacting after you’ve been accused; it’s about continuous engagement. We must rebuild our foreign service with people who understand international politics and can defend Nigeria’s truth.”
Farounbi also addressed internal issues contributing to the country’s negative image, including insecurity and religious tension.
He said, “We have allowed divisions to fester, and that gives foreigners room to judge us wrongly. If we protect every citizen irrespective of faith or tribe, nobody abroad can accuse us of persecution.”
Concluding, Farounbi urged Tinubu to focus on rebuilding Nigeria’s global image through integrity, competence, and justice rather than seeking validation from foreign figures.
“President Tinubu should not travel across the world seeking validation from those who have insulted our continent,
“This is the time to rebuild Nigeria’s image through good governance, truth, and consistency. Let us earn respect by our conduct, not demand it by proximity.”
