Former Nigerian Minister of External Affairs, Bolaji Akinyemi, has issued a stark warning to President Bola Tinubu, urging diplomatic caution in dealing with newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump. The veteran diplomat’s advice comes as Trump assumes office amid concerns over his confrontational foreign policy stance.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today program Monday, Akinyemi drew on traditional African wisdom to counsel restraint, suggesting that engaging in direct confrontation with the Trump administration could prove counterproductive for Nigeria’s interests. If I were President Tinubu, I would try to steer clear of antagonising him because there is nothing a bully likes better than taking on people who are not strong enough to resist him,” the former Nigerian Institute of International Affairs director-general stated.
The distinguished political scientist expressed deep concern over Trump’s inaugural address, characterizing it as both “shocking and depressing.” Rather than presenting a vision of global cooperation and peace, Trump’s speech outlined what Akinyemi described as a “bouquet of hostile policies,” including controversial proposals to reclaim the Panama Canal and rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, alongside aggressive trade measures.
Trump’s inauguration marked a significant shift in Washington’s power dynamics, drawing an extraordinary gathering of America’s elite. The ceremony saw tech titans Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai seated prominently alongside Trump’s family and cabinet members. Former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, along with Joe Biden, attended the ceremony, though notably absent was former first lady Michelle Obama.
At 78, Trump returns to the presidency following his victory over incumbent Joe Biden, marking a dramatic comeback four years after his electoral defeat. The event represented a stark contrast to his first inauguration in 2017, when he entered Washington as a political outsider. This time, Trump’s return to power comes with the backing of significant segments of America’s business and political establishment.
Akinyemi, drawing on his extensive diplomatic experience, predicted challenging times ahead for international relations. “The world is in for a rough ride for four years,” he warned, suggesting that Trump would eventually “learn that there are repercussions to policies, to jingoism.” However, he also noted that Nigeria currently appears to be outside Trump’s immediate focus, advising against expectations of any extraordinary engagement from the new administration.
The diplomatic expert’s guidance emphasizes the importance of subtle statecraft over direct confrontation. “There are ways in which you could address his reaction without confrontation,” Akinyemi explained, suggesting that Nigeria should develop sophisticated diplomatic strategies to protect its interests while avoiding direct clashes with the Trump administration.
This advice comes at a crucial time for Nigerian-American relations, as both nations navigate complex global challenges. Akinyemi’s warning reflects a broader understanding of international power dynamics and the need for strategic diplomacy in dealing with more powerful nations, particularly under leadership that may adopt aggressive foreign policy stances.
The situation presents a delicate challenge for President Tinubu’s administration, requiring a balance between protecting Nigerian interests and maintaining productive relations with the United States. As Trump begins his term with apparent intentions to reshape American foreign policy, Nigerian leadership faces the task of adapting to this new reality while preserving its diplomatic leverage and national interests.
The coming months will likely prove crucial in determining the trajectory of Nigerian-American relations under these new circumstances, with Akinyemi’s advice potentially serving as a guideline for Nigerian diplomatic strategy during Trump’s presidency. The challenge will be maintaining effective international relationships while navigating what promises to be a transformative period in global politics.