The Presidency has debunked a viral report alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to travel to the United States for a meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance.
In a statement issued on Monday via his official X handle, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, described the story as “false, misleading, and baseless.”
Ajayi said the publication by Sahara Reporters had triggered “uninformed speculations” and stressed that if the President were to visit the White House, he would be meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, not his deputy.
“The claim that President Tinubu is travelling to meet the U.S. Vice President is completely untrue. Such reports are fake and only intended to mislead the public,” Ajayi stated.
The clarification follows widespread discussions after the online report alleged that Tinubu was scheduled for “top-level diplomatic engagements” in Washington amid rising international concern over alleged attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump had, over the weekend, stirred global reaction after warning that America might “go in guns blazing” if Nigeria’s government failed to protect its Christian population.
Reacting to the comments, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom, stressing that the country remains a democracy guided by constitutional guarantees for all faiths.
“Nigeria stands firm as a democracy governed by the rule of law and by the constitutional protection of religious liberty,” Tinubu said in an official statement.
He added that his administration has maintained active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders to promote unity and tackle insecurity nationwide.
Tinubu also dismissed international narratives portraying Nigeria as religiously intolerant, describing them as “inaccurate and unreflective of the nation’s true character.”
“Religious freedom and tolerance remain part of Nigeria’s identity. We oppose all forms of persecution and will continue to work with international partners to safeguard the rights of all citizens,” the President affirmed.
The Presidency emphasized that Nigeria would continue its cooperation with the United States and other allies to strengthen mutual understanding and protect communities across faiths.
