Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has harshly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration following Nigeria’s exclusion from an upcoming summit hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, which will feature five African nations.
According to Naija News, the high-level meeting scheduled for July 9, 2025, in Washington D.C., will focus on trade, investment, and economic cooperation with African countries. However, Nigeria—Africa’s most populous nation—was not invited. The countries selected for the summit include Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal, and Liberia.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the snub as a “resounding indictment” of Tinubu’s leadership, ECOWAS chairmanship, and the nation's deteriorating global relevance.
“Not Nigeria. Not the Giant of Africa that once had a $500 billion economy and was among the five fastest-growing economies in the world—until the cancer called the All Progressives Congress took over,” Atiku said.
The former Vice President emphasized that Nigeria’s exclusion was not a diplomatic oversight, but rather a direct consequence of what he called Tinubu’s “chaotic presidency” and Nigeria’s shrinking diplomatic weight.
He accused the administration of squandering Nigeria’s international stature, stating that Tinubu’s leadership of ECOWAS led to the withdrawal of three member states, resulting in a loss of 40% of the bloc’s land mass.
“Once Africa’s diplomatic compass, Nigeria is now an afterthought. Ignored. Sidelined. Stripped of influence. While others are summoned to negotiate Africa’s future, Nigeria is not even in the room,” the statement continued.
Atiku also took aim at the president’s aides, accusing them of being disconnected from the country’s harsh realities.
“While our Foreign Direct Investment has plunged to historic lows, Tinubu’s men lounge in St. Lucia, sipping champagne in the face of national decline. South Africa is negotiating trade frameworks with Washington. Nigeria is invisible.”
Refuting reports that businessman Gilbert Chagoury could influence U.S. diplomatic decisions in Nigeria’s favour due to ties with President Trump, Atiku described the belief as a “mirage.”
“Gilbert Chagoury is not a Trump ally. He was a donor to the Clinton Foundation. Nigeria wagered its standing on an illusion—and lost.”
He accused Tinubu of fracturing regional cooperation and failing to build international consensus.
“As chair of ECOWAS, Tinubu did not build bridges; he burnt them. From Giant of Africa to diplomatic ghost — Tinubu has finished the job. He has squandered our legacy, diluted our stature, and silenced our voice on the world stage.”
Atiku declared the situation not just an embarrassment, but a disgrace, asserting that Nigeria has "lost its way" under the current government.
“But let it be known: we will not mourn in silence. We will not be complicit in our own erasure.”
He concluded by expressing confidence in the newly formed ADC-led opposition coalition, describing it as a vehicle to rescue Nigeria from what he labeled “urban bandits.”
“The damage is deep—but so is our resolve. And the mission to reclaim Nigeria’s honour has already begun. History may not be kind to this government, but it will remember who stood up to end it.”
