“Nigeria No Longer Taken Seriously Under Tinubu” — ADC Blasts Presidency Over U.S. Trade Talks Snub

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu following Nigeria’s exclusion from a high-level trade dialogue at the White House, calling it a sign of the country’s declining global relevance under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement released Monday by the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the omission of Nigeria from the list of African nations invited to Washington as “a damning indictment” of the Tinubu-led government’s economic policies and diplomatic strategy.

The U.S. government has invited the presidents of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal to a three-day summit aimed at fostering commercial partnerships between American companies and African nations deemed capable of driving economic growth through accountability and sound leadership.

The ADC argued that Nigeria’s exclusion—despite being Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation—reflects a global perception that the country under Tinubu is not demonstrating the competence, transparency, or strategic leadership needed to attract serious economic engagement.

“Only a few years ago, it would have been unthinkable for such a meeting to be held without Nigeria,” Abdullahi stated. “Now, under this APC administration, Nigeria is no longer taken seriously. Our absence sends a clear message: economic mismanagement, incoherent diplomacy, and lack of credibility have consequences.”

The party pointed out the irony that the U.S., once known for delivering aid to African countries, is now shifting focus to trade partnerships—yet Nigeria, once a natural leader in such conversations, is being sidelined.

“Instead of leveraging our vast economy, dynamic consumer market, and global diaspora, Nigeria has become an afterthought,” Abdullahi said. “The Americans are telling us plainly: size means nothing without leadership.”

The ADC also raised concerns over Nigeria’s diminished role within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), alleging that the regional bloc has lost influence under Tinubu’s leadership. Abdullahi cited recent events, including President Tinubu’s week-long visit to St. Lucia—a country with less than 1% of Nigeria’s GDP—as evidence of misplaced priorities.

Further complicating matters, the ADC noted, is the looming threat of a 10% U.S. tariff on Nigerian exports in retaliation for Nigeria’s entry into BRICS earlier this year. While not opposed to BRICS itself, the party criticized what it called a “small league” approach to international partnerships.

“If Nigeria had maintained its rightful leadership role, we would have been at that table in Washington,” the statement added, referencing the absence of Nigeria in global trade discussions, despite having Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the helm of the World Trade Organization.

The party concluded by calling on Nigerians to demand higher standards from their leaders.

“This is what happens when the government prioritizes politics over performance and propaganda over progress,” Abdullahi said. “Nigeria is too big, too important, and too proud to be ignored. We must demand a future where our voice matters again on the global stage.”