Nigeria was notably excluded from a high-level U.S.–Africa economic summit held at the White House from July 9–11, attended by leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal, prompting sharp criticism from the Nigerian opposition .
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), via spokesperson Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, slammed President Bola Tinubu for failing to secure Nigeria’s seat at the table, despite the country being Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation . They described the exclusion as a “damning international indictment” of Nigeria’s economic mismanagement, weak diplomacy, and declining global stature .
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, through aide Phrank Shaibu, echoed these sentiments, calling the omission “a verdict — scathing in symbolism and staggering in implication.” He attributed it to Tinubu’s “chaotic presidency” and declining regional leadership, citing Nigeria’s faltering ECOWAS influence as additional evidence .
The summit reportedly selected participants based on their willingness to “help themselves,” a criteria critics argue Tinubu failed to meet . At the same time, Africa-watchers noted the diplomatic repercussions, saying Nigeria is shifting “from giant of Africa to diplomatic ghost,” especially as BRICS alignment triggered additional U.S. policy friction .
