Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to the Vatican at the invitation of Pope Leo has sparked outrage among concerned Nigerians, civil society groups, and human rights advocates. The trip, described by critics as tone-deaf and ill-timed, comes amid one of the most volatile periods of violence and economic distress in Nigeria’s recent history.
While international diplomacy and interfaith relations are important, many Nigerians are questioning the president’s decision to prioritize ceremonial appearances abroad while citizens at home face daily threats to life and security. From the relentless attacks by armed bandits in the North to the rise in kidnappings and violent clashes in the South and Middle Belt, the country is grappling with a national emergency that requires undivided attention and immediate action.
In a country where churches are being burned, clergy abducted, farmers massacred, and communities displaced, President Tinubu’s appearance at a global religious celebration sends the wrong message. It signals a detachment from the pain of the people and a disregard for the severity of the nation’s challenges.
“This is not a time for diplomatic grandstanding,” said a spokesperson from the Coalition for a Secure Nigeria. “Nigerians are being slaughtered, starved, and silenced, and our president is shaking hands at the Vatican. It is both a symbolic and practical failure of leadership.”
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and other religious bodies have repeatedly warned that the country is becoming a “killing field.” Despite these alerts, the federal government has yet to implement comprehensive or transparent measures to address the security crisis or provide tangible relief to suffering communities.
Economic hardship continues to compound the crisis. Inflation is at record highs, youth unemployment remains above 50%, and millions are falling below the poverty line. The President’s absence during such a critical moment has deepened the sense of abandonment felt across the nation.