“Tinubu Should Avoid Trump—Bullies Prey on the Weak,” Says Akinyemi

Renowned political scientist Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi has advised Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to avoid direct confrontation with newly sworn-in U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Akinyemi warned that engaging Trump in any form of antagonism could be detrimental to Nigeria’s interests.

“If I were President Tinubu, I would try to steer clear of antagonizing him because there is nothing a bully likes better than taking on people who are not strong enough to resist him,” Akinyemi stated. Citing an African proverb, he emphasized that challenging a more powerful opponent without sufficient strength could lead to unnecessary suffering. He urged Tinubu to find diplomatic ways to address potential conflicts without resorting to direct confrontation, even if Trump’s policies negatively impact Nigeria.

Akinyemi, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and ex-Minister of External Affairs, also criticized Trump’s inaugural speech as uninspiring, “shocking, and depressing.” He argued that instead of promoting global peace, Trump’s address was filled with aggressive policies, including controversial proposals such as taking back the Panama Canal, renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, and initiating tariff wars.

He warned that Trump would soon face repercussions for his policies and that the world should brace for a turbulent four years under his leadership. He also noted that Nigeria is not a priority for the 78-year-old U.S. president and advised against expecting any special engagement or benefits from his administration.

Trump was sworn in as the 47th U.S. president on Monday, marking his return to the White House after his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. Unlike his first inauguration in 2017, when he was an outsider, this time he was surrounded by some of America’s most powerful figures, including tech moguls Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai.

In contrast to Trump’s refusal to attend Biden’s inauguration in 2021, Biden sought to restore tradition by attending the event alongside former U.S. presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. While Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush were present, Michelle Obama notably chose to stay away.