President Bola Tinubu’s planned visit to the United States to address diplomatic tensions with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has been called off, according to presidential sources.
The sources told SaharaReporters on Monday that although preliminary discussions between the Nigerian presidency and the White House were ongoing, no direct meeting had been confirmed. “A face-to-face meeting is not yet on the cards,” one source said.
Officials now say Tinubu is expected to attend the upcoming G-20 Summit in South Africa, which may serve as the first formal opportunity for talks between him and President Trump. The summit, according to insiders, is being considered as a more suitable venue for both leaders to engage on diplomatic and economic issues.
The decision to cancel the U.S. trip follows recent reports of strained relations between Abuja and Washington over policy differences and concerns about Nigeria’s governance and human rights record. The presidency has not issued an official statement on the cancellation, but aides say preparations are underway for Tinubu’s participation in the G-20 meeting.
Tinubu’s team reportedly views the summit as a strategic platform to reinforce Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities, strengthen international partnerships, and pursue new investment opportunities amid growing economic challenges at home.
