11 July 2025
Lagos, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent diplomatic engagements in Saint Lucia and Brazil have been hailed as a triumph for Nigeria’s global standing, yet his apparent absence from public view over the past four days has sparked concern among Nigerians. From a historic state visit to the Caribbean to advocating for the Global South at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Tinubu’s itinerary from late June to early July 2025 was packed with high-stakes diplomacy. However, since the summit’s conclusion on 7 July, the Nigerian Presidency has been silent on his whereabouts, leaving citizens anxious for answers.
A Diplomatic Milestone in Saint Lucia
On 28 June 2025, President Tinubu departed Abuja for a two-nation tour, with his first stop in Saint Lucia. The state visit, which took place from 1 to 4 July, marked a historic moment in Nigeria–Caribbean relations. Tinubu’s engagements included high-level meetings with Saint Lucia’s Governor General, Cyril Errol Charles, and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre. In a symbolic gesture, he addressed a special joint session of Saint Lucia’s Parliament in Castries, attended by Caribbean leaders and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) envoys.
The visit formalised diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, opening doors for collaboration in trade, investment, tourism, and education. Tinubu’s tour of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College underscored his commitment to academic partnerships, while his conferment with the Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL) highlighted his role in fostering Afro-Caribbean solidarity. The Nigerian Presidency described the visit as a “resounding success,” positioning Nigeria as a key voice in South-South cooperation.
However, the trip was not without criticism. A former Anambra state governor questioned Tinubu’s decision to travel abroad amidst domestic crises, notably the devastating floods in Niger state that claimed over 200 lives. Despite such concerns, the diplomatic outcomes in Saint Lucia were widely praised.
Shettima’s remarks on Tinubu’s removal of Fubara
Championing Nigeria at the BRICS Summit
On 4 July, Tinubu departed Saint Lucia for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, arriving on the night of 5 July at approximately 8:45 p.m. local time. His mission was to represent Nigeria, recently elevated to a “partner country” in the BRICS framework, at the 17th BRICS Summit held from 6 to 7 July. The summit, themed “Building a Fairer World Order through Sustainable Partnerships,” saw Tinubu join leaders from South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, and other Global South nations.
Tinubu’s participation focused on advocating for enhanced trade, sustainable development, and reforms to global financial institutions to better reflect the aspirations of developing nations. The Nigerian Presidency framed his engagements as “strategic diplomacy in action,” reinforcing Nigeria’s growing influence on the world stage. While specific details of his summit activities remain limited, his presence alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and other BRICS leaders underscored Nigeria’s rising profile.
The Mystery of the Last Four Days
Since the BRICS Summit concluded on 7 July, President Tinubu has seemingly vanished from public view, with no official updates on his activities or whereabouts from 8 to 11 July. This silence is striking, given the Nigerian Presidency’s usual practice of announcing major movements, such as Tinubu’s departures and arrivals. Nigerians, accustomed to detailed coverage of their president’s international trips, are growing increasingly uneasy.
Several possibilities could explain the lack of information. Tinubu may have returned to Nigeria after the summit, but no credible sources confirm his arrival in Abuja. Alternatively, he could have stayed in Brazil for additional engagements or travelled elsewhere, though no evidence supports this. Another scenario is that he is in Nigeria but maintaining a low public profile, possibly for personal or domestic reasons. However, such discretion would be inconsistent with the presidency’s typical transparency on high-profile trips.
The absence of updates on official channels, such as the Nigerian Presidency’s X account (@NGRPresident) or statements from spokesman Bayo Onanuga (@aonanuga1956), has fuelled public concern. Posts on X from early July focused on Tinubu’s Brazil arrival, but none address his current status. This information gap risks amplifying public frustration, especially given earlier criticism of his Saint Lucia trip amidst Nigeria’s domestic challenges.
A Call for Transparency
The lack of clarity about President Tinubu’s whereabouts echoes past instances of Nigerian leaders’ prolonged absences, such as former President Muhammadu Buhari’s medical trips, which sparked public anxiety. While there is no evidence to suggest health issues or political motives behind Tinubu’s silence, the Nigerian Presidency must address these concerns to maintain public trust.
For now, Nigerians are advised to monitor official channels and reputable news outlets like Daily Justice for updates. If no information emerges, public pressure for transparency may intensify, particularly as the nation grapples with ongoing economic and environmental challenges.
