A former Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has criticised the President’s continued silence amid escalating diplomatic tension between Nigeria and the United States, saying the situation demands a direct national address from the Commander-in-Chief.
Baba-Ahmed, who made his position known in a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, expressed disappointment that President Tinubu has yet to publicly respond to the diplomatic standoff, warning that his silence “makes the country appear weak, as though we have no voice or direction.”
The former presidential aide argued that the magnitude of the ongoing diplomatic row required Tinubu’s personal engagement rather than relying on statements from ministers or aides.
“If President Tinubu truly has competent advisers and understands the weight of leadership, he should have addressed the nation by now,” he wrote. “This is not the time for ministers or aides to speak on his behalf. The President himself should calm the people, explain our position, and tell us what steps he intends to take.”
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Baba-Ahmed cautioned that the President’s continued silence was creating anxiety and uncertainty both within Nigeria and among international partners.
Reacting to reports that Tinubu may be considering a trip to the United States to meet President Donald Trump, Baba-Ahmed urged against such a move, warning that it could further harm Nigeria’s image.
“At this critical moment, Tinubu should not even think of travelling to America to meet Donald Trump,” he said. “Doing so would only worsen Nigeria’s image. It would be like receiving a slap and then smiling in return.”
He stressed that any diplomatic engagement by the President should project strength, clarity, and national dignity, not submission or confusion.
Baba-Ahmed also took aim at the administration’s delay in appointing ambassadors more than a year after assuming office, describing the omission as “dangerous and diplomatically costly.”
“We have said it over and over again—appoint ambassadors!” he wrote. “Right now, many countries barely engage with Nigeria because we lack official diplomatic representation. A country without ambassadors is practically invisible in global affairs.”
Concluding, the former aide urged President Tinubu to act swiftly to restore public confidence and rebuild Nigeria’s global standing.
“If Tinubu truly listens to those who care about this nation, he must act now. Appoint ambassadors, restore our diplomatic strength, and speak directly to the people he governs,” he said.