The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly accused the United States Mission of spearheading what it describes as a “relentless smear campaign” that undermines diplomatic norms and strains relations between both countries.
The tension stems from a report originally published by The Africa Report and circulated by the U.S. Mission. The article alleged that Nigerian political elites were misusing state funds on lavish government house projects while citizens continued to face economic hardship. It specifically mentioned developments in Oyo and Gombe states.
In response, Nigerian officials dismissed the report as misleading and politically motivated. They defended Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, citing their records of fiscal discipline and commitment to public welfare.
A senior Nigerian diplomat pointed out that the U.S. Mission’s actions contravene Article 41(1) of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which prohibits foreign diplomats from interfering in the internal affairs of host nations.
This isn’t the first diplomatic flashpoint between both countries. Nigerian officials also recalled an erroneous U.S. forecast predicting the country’s collapse, and a controversial travel advisory that warned U.S. citizens against visiting 18 Nigerian states — an advisory many local analysts criticized as exaggerated and lacking context.
While Nigeria reaffirmed the importance of its longstanding ties with the United States, officials urged the U.S. Mission to refrain from spreading “jaundiced narratives” and to operate within the bounds of international diplomatic practice.
