Nigerian Government Denies Claims Of Tinubu’s Planned White House Visit, Labels Viral Report As False And Misleading

 

Reports circulating online suggesting that President Bola Tinubu will visit the White House on Tuesday have been firmly debunked by the Nigerian Presidency. The clarification followed a viral report claiming that the Nigerian leader was scheduled to meet with United States Vice President J.D. Vance, sparking widespread speculation across social media platforms and several news outlets.

Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, took to X on Monday to address the growing misinformation. He described the story as “false and misleading,” asserting that it was a deliberate attempt to spread confusion regarding the President’s international engagements. Ajayi emphasized that the report originated from Sahara Reporters, which has been accused in the past of publishing unverified information about the Nigerian government and its officials.

According to Ajayi, the publication not only misrepresented the President’s diplomatic schedule but also created unnecessary tension by suggesting that President Tinubu was undertaking a secretive or politically motivated visit to the United States. He stated that the alleged White House meeting had no basis in fact, and no such trip was planned or being considered at the moment.

Ajayi further clarified that if President Tinubu were to travel to Washington, the meeting would be with the U.S. President rather than the Vice President. He pointed out that international diplomatic protocol does not typically allow for a visiting head of state to hold official talks with a Vice President, except in rare and specific circumstances. His statement read, “There is a Sahara Reporters story that President Tinubu is going to the U.S. on Tuesday to see U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. That story is not true. I can see that the fake news by Sahara has become the basis for some uninformed commentaries since yesterday. If President Tinubu is going to the White House, he won’t be going to see a Vice President.”

The clarification came amid heightened international attention following remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the situation of Christians in Nigeria. Trump had recently accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect religious minorities and warned that the United States could consider military options if the alleged persecution continued. These comments, coupled with the fake report of Tinubu’s visit, fueled rumors that the Nigerian leader might be heading to Washington for urgent talks.

Trump also announced that Nigeria had been designated as a “country of particular concern,” citing ongoing incidents of violence in several northern and central states. His statement drew sharp criticism from Nigerian officials, who dismissed the accusations as baseless and politically motivated. The Nigerian government insisted that no group in the country was being targeted for persecution on religious grounds, reiterating its commitment to protecting all citizens regardless of faith or ethnicity.

Following Trump’s remarks, some international observers speculated that Tinubu’s government might seek diplomatic engagement with Washington to ease rising tensions. The false report of a scheduled White House visit therefore gained quick traction online, with many assuming it was linked to the growing diplomatic strain.

Ajayi, however, made it clear that such narratives were speculative and without official confirmation. He urged media organizations to verify reports before publication, warning that the spread of misinformation could damage Nigeria’s global reputation and strain diplomatic relations unnecessarily. He also encouraged Nigerians to rely on official government communication channels for accurate updates on the President’s travel plans and engagements.

The Presidency’s reaction underscores the administration’s growing frustration with misinformation in the digital media space. Over the past year, several viral stories regarding President Tinubu’s foreign visits and alleged meetings have turned out to be fabricated. Government officials have repeatedly called on journalists to uphold ethical standards and verify information before dissemination, particularly when it concerns matters of national interest.

Analysts believe the fake report gained attention partly because of the tense diplomatic environment between Nigeria and the United States following Trump’s comments. Some social media users interpreted the alleged visit as a possible attempt by Tinubu to prevent sanctions or repair strained ties, which further fueled the story’s spread.

By issuing a firm denial, the Presidency aims to put an end to the misinformation and assure Nigerians that no such trip is taking place. Ajayi’s statement has been widely circulated to correct the narrative and prevent further distortion of facts.

As of Monday evening, there has been no official communication from the White House regarding any planned meeting with President Tinubu. Both Nigerian and U.S. government sources confirmed that no visit had been scheduled, reinforcing the Presidency’s position that the story is entirely unfounded.

The Nigerian government continues to maintain that its relationship with the United States remains cordial and guided by mutual respect. Officials reiterated that any future diplomatic engagements between the two nations will be formally announced through appropriate channels and not through unverified online reports.

Ultimately, the Presidency’s swift response serves as a reminder of how easily misinformation can spread in the digital era and how critical timely clarification has become in shaping public understanding of national and international affairs.