Why Tinubu Proceeded With Trips to South Africa, Angola Despite Insecurity at Home

By: Ojay Matthew


President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to proceed with his official visits to South Africa and Angola, despite a recent spike in killings and kidnappings across Nigeria, has been explained by his Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Olusegun outlined several strategic considerations behind the president’s choice not to cancel the international engagements, which form part of activities surrounding the G20 summit.

According to him, the summit’s significance was a major factor. “This is the first time the G20 is convening on African soil, marking an important milestone for the continent,” he wrote. Tinubu’s attendance, he added, signals Nigeria’s acknowledgment of the historic event and provides an opportunity to advocate for Africa’s interests in global decision-making.

Olusegun noted that the president aims to build on gains from the previous G20 summit in Rio, holding meetings with global partners to shape economic policies and explore new opportunities for investment in Nigeria. Strengthening existing ties and creating fresh avenues for business collaboration are also among the objectives.

With security expected to feature prominently in summit discussions, Tinubu intends to use the platform to present Nigeria’s security realities and advance regional and international partnerships against terrorism across the country and the wider sub-Saharan region. Ongoing economic reforms in Nigeria are also expected to be highlighted.

To ensure continuity in governance while the president is abroad, the vice president, Kashim Shettima, has been assigned to visit Kebbi State, where schoolgirls were abducted earlier in the week. Olusegun explained that the president has also directed security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and relief operations.

He described the arrangement as a “clear division of labour,” with Tinubu pursuing long-term diplomatic and strategic solutions at the G20, while the vice president and security chiefs address pressing domestic security concerns.