President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his planned trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, and to Luanda, Angola, for the 7th AU-EU Summit. The decision comes in response to severe security developments in Nigeria, notably the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and an attack on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
Tinubu’s spokesman explained that he is awaiting more detailed intelligence briefings from security agencies, including the Department of State Services and the national police. The president has also directed a significant deployment of military and police forces to vulnerable areas, including Eruku and the wider Ekiti region, to help restore stability and rescue the kidnapped girls.
In his statement, Tinubu expressed deep concern over the twin crises, citing the “security breaches” as a reason for delaying his foreign engagement. He reaffirmed his commitment to bringing the abducted schoolgirls back home safely, calling on all security agencies to pull out all stops.
Originally, Tinubu was to leave Abuja for South Africa and Angola in a high-profile diplomatic move. In Johannesburg, he would have attended the G20 Summit under the theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” and held bilateral meetings aimed at advancing his “Renewed Hope” agenda. After the G20, he was to proceed to Luanda to participate in the AU–EU Summit, which is set to focus on bilateral cooperation in areas such as climate change, infrastructure, agribusiness, and the digital economy.
Officials note that the postponement reflects both the gravity of the domestic security challenge and the president’s desire to ensure that Nigeria’s international engagements do not overshadow its internal crisis. Tinubu’s decision underscores the delicate balance between global diplomacy and national security in a moment of heightened internal tension.
Why This Matters
This development is significant on several fronts. First, it demonstrates the Nigerian government’s willingness to prioritize internal security even at the expense of high-stakes diplomatic engagements. Second, it signals the seriousness of the security threat in Kebbi and Kwara, where armed groups have reportedly carried out kidnappings and violent attacks. Finally, by delaying his trip, Tinubu may be aiming to return to these global platforms once the crisis subsides — but the move also opens the door for criticism that Nigeria is weakening in its international presence.
References
- Vanguard News, “Tinubu to attend G20 leaders summit in South Africa, AU-EU summit in Angola” Vanguard News
- Nairametrics, “Tinubu postpones G20 and AU–EU summit trips over security breaches in Kwara, Kebbi” Nairametrics
- State House, Nigeria, “President Tinubu postpones trip to G20 and AU–EU Summits …” State House
- ThisDayLive, “Tinubu Postpones Trip To G20, AU-EU Summits In South Africa and Angola” THISDAYLIVE
- Business Post Nigeria, “Kebbi, Kwara Attacks: Tinubu Suspends Trips to South Africa, Angola” Business Post Nigeria
- The Nation, “Tinubu postpones G20, AU–EU trips, orders massive security reinforcement in Kwara” The Nation Newspaper
