In the grand theatre of international diplomacy, symbolism matters. Attendance at another nation's presidential inauguration is more than mere ceremony - it is a gesture laden with meaning, reflecting alliances, respect, and perceived parity. But for Nigeria, Africa's supposed giant, the ritual has become a lopsided dance of desperation and symbolism stripped of substance.
It has become a recurring tradition for Nigerian leaders - without fail - to jet out of the country to attend the swearing-in of presidents in the United States, France, Kenya, South Africa, and even smaller Caribbean nations. These presidential pilgrimages are often advertised with pomp by state-controlled media, paraded as diplomatic victories. Yet, the irony is bitter and undeniable: not once in Nigeria's recent history has a sitting president of any of these “developed” countries graced Nigeria's own inauguration.
A One-Sided Diplomacy of Dignity Loss
From the First Republic through to the Fourth, Nigerian presidents have traveled abroad seeking legitimacy through proximity to power, often mistaking handshakes and group photos for strategic partnerships. When Bola Tinubu was sworn in as President in May 2023, none of the G7 leaders attended. Instead, mid-level envoys and ministers were sent, many of whom left before the event ended. The U.S. sent a delegation led by Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia Fudge - not even a cabinet heavyweight. The UK sent the Minister for Development and Africa - a symbolic gesture of condescension.
Contrast this with the fanfare that precedes a Nigerian president's visit to the White House or Élysée Palace. Entire entourages are flown out, red carpets rolled, and local headlines filled with hollow hope: “Bilateral Agreements Signed,” “Strategic Partnership Renewed,” “Foreign Direct Investment Expected.” Yet decades roll by, and Nigeria’s development indicators - poverty, healthcare, education, power generation - remain dismal. No railway, road network, hospital, or refinery has ever been built as a direct result of these junketing escapades.
So, who exactly is fooling who?
The Papal Paradox and the Vatican Spectacle
Let us take another recent example: the Pope. Head of the smallest country in the world - Vatican City - yet commanding such reverence and state largesse from Nigerian authorities that one would think he was the Emperor of a superpower. Pope John Paul II visited Nigeria twice: in 1982 and 1998. His visits were spiritual pilgrimages, but Nigerian governments turned them into national carnivals. In 1998, the military regime of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar declared a public holiday for his visit. Entire cities were shut down, roads paved overnight, and billions spent on logistics.
Yet despite Nigeria boasting one of the largest Catholic populations in the world - over 20 million faithful - the Vatican, like other Western powers, rarely reciprocates with strategic engagement beyond spiritual diplomacy. It is Nigeria that bends over backward, offering gold-plated hospitality as a show of unearned significance. To be clear, the Pope’s role is primarily religious, but when Nigerian presidents begin lobbying to be part of his inauguration entourage, it underscores our disturbing fixation with foreign validation.
Why Do They Go?
We are often told these presidential trips are “to strengthen bilateral ties,” “seek development support,” or “attract investment.” But where are the fruits?
- Over 60% of Nigerians live on less than $2 a day.
- The World Bank ranks Nigeria 169th out of 190 on the ease of doing business.
- Nigeria's per capita power generation is one of the lowest in the world - about 144 kilowatt-hours compared to South Africa’s 4,198.
- UNESCO reports Nigeria has the world’s highest number of out-of-school children.
What have decades of presidential globe-trotting solved? If anything, these trips have reinforced Nigeria’s role not as an equal player, but as a supplicant in the global order.
The Nigerian President is more likely to visit Europe or America in his first year in office than visit all 36 states of the federation. They are treated with aloofness abroad, sometimes even embarrassment - delayed receptions, meetings downgraded to brief photo ops, and in some cases, outright snubs. Yet, when they return, the state media floods the airwaves with exaggerated achievements: “President Discusses Power with Siemens,” “$10 Billion Investment Deal Signed.” Months later, nothing materializes.
Postcolonial Mindset and the Psychological Chains
At the heart of this diplomatic farce is a deep-seated inferiority complex - a residue of colonial subjugation that Nigeria has failed to shake off. Political independence was achieved in 1960, but mental, cultural, and diplomatic independence remain elusive. The former colonial masters still wield psychological power over our leaders, who treat any photo opportunity with them as a badge of success.
The truth is painful: Nigeria is not seen as an equal by these nations. The absence of their top leaders at our national ceremonies is proof. No American president has ever attended a Nigerian inauguration. No British Prime Minister has ever declared Nigeria a priority partner worthy of sustained bilateral visits. Russia, China, Germany - all the same.
Yet, Nigerian leaders continue to fly out - cap in hand - begging for loans, partnerships, and relevance.
The Economic Cost of Symbolic Subservience
These presidential travels are not cheap. A single foreign trip can cost over ₦2 billion in logistics, estacode, security, and accommodation. Between 2015 and 2023, former President Buhari reportedly embarked on over 130 foreign trips, with an estimated cost exceeding ₦20 billion. Some trips lasted weeks. In 2016, he spent 49 days in the UK for medical treatment. In 2017, he stayed for 104 days, and again for 173 days cumulatively in 2018. What kind of leader abandons his people for half a year?
A serious country would build institutions at home. But in Nigeria, the elites outsource their governance to foreign shores.
The Way Forward: A Call for Self-Worth
If Nigeria must be taken seriously in global affairs, then our leaders must first take themselves seriously. Respect is not given; it is earned.
- Presidents should prioritize local engagements over foreign ceremonial attendances. If they must travel, let it be for summits that yield measurable benefits.
- We must stop begging for international recognition. Our relevance should stem from internal strength - economic, diplomatic, military - not handshakes in foreign capitals.
- Establish reciprocal diplomatic expectations. If you won’t send a President to our inauguration, don’t expect ours to show up at yours.
- Invest in dignity. Build world-class hospitals, universities, roads - and stop rushing abroad for treatment or praise.
Conclusion: Is This Really Independence?
Those who say Nigeria is not truly independent are not far from the truth. Political freedom means little if national dignity is auctioned off in foreign lands for the sake of photo ops and vague promises. Until Nigerian leaders learn to sit at the table of nations with confidence born of self-worth, and not with the deference of a colonial subject, we will continue to be treated as errand boys - tolerated, never respected.
It is time we look inward. Because no nation will ever respect Nigeria more than Nigeria respects herself.
#RethinkNigeria, #StopSymbolicDiplomacy, #LeadershipWithDignity, #EndPresidentialPilgrimage, #NigeriaFirst
