Nigeria accuses U.S. Mission of meddling and smear campaign
Tensions are rising between Nigeria and the United States following accusations by senior Nigerian government officials that the U.S. Mission in Abuja is engaging in a “relentless smear campaign” against the country, violating diplomatic protocols and damaging mutual trust.
At the heart of the dispute is the U.S. Mission’s recent circulation of a report by The Africa Report, a Paris-based media outlet, which criticized Nigerian political elites for alleged extravagance. The article spotlighted new government house projects in Oyo and Gombe states, suggesting leaders were “splurging state resources” while citizens faced economic hardship.
However, senior federal government sources have pushed back strongly, claiming the report is misleading and politically motivated. One official described the piece as a deliberate misrepresentation, arguing that the governors cited, Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, are among Nigeria’s most fiscally responsible leaders.
“Governor Makinde has received numerous commendations for his fiscal prudence and impactful governance. In Gombe, Governor Yahaya has efficiently managed resources, ensured consistent salary payments, built healthcare facilities, and invested in economic development. These are not acts of reckless governance,” the source said.
But the controversy goes beyond the media report. Nigerian diplomats argue that the U.S. Mission’s role in circulating and amplifying the story constitutes interference in domestic affairs, a breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
“This behaviour violates Article 41(1), which clearly states that foreign diplomats must not interfere in the internal affairs of the host country. This isn’t neutrality. This is meddling,” a senior diplomat told reporters.
The diplomatic spat adds to a history of friction in U.S.–Nigeria relations. Officials recalled past instances where Washington took positions that proved to be inaccurate or insensitive, such as the failed prediction that Nigeria would disintegrate by the year 2000, and the recent July 15, 2025, travel advisory by the U.S. State Department that warned Americans to avoid 18 Nigerian states due to terrorism, kidnapping, and inadequate healthcare.
