ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — President Bola Tinubu departed Abuja on Wednesday for South Africa to attend the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit, even as Nigeria grapples with fresh terrorist attacks and worsening insecurity.
The visit comes days after militants killed Brigadier‑General Uba Musa in Borno State and abducted at least 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State, sparking outrage and renewed debate over Nigeria’s security failures.
Tinubu is expected to join world leaders in Johannesburg for discussions on disaster risk reduction, climate change, energy transition, food systems, artificial intelligence, and equitable development. He will also hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, current G20 chair, extended the invitation to Tinubu. The Nigerian leader will later travel to Angola for the AU–EU Summit in Luanda, where security cooperation and investment are expected to dominate talks.
Presidential aides defended the trip, saying Nigeria must remain engaged in global decision‑making. “International partnerships are critical to strengthening our economy and security,” a spokesperson said. “The president will use these meetings to secure support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.”
Opposition politicians criticized the timing. “Our people are under siege, and the president is abroad,” said Sen. Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker. “This is not the moment for diplomacy; it is the moment for leadership at home.”
Tinubu has so far remained silent on the killing of Brigadier‑General Musa, a fact that has fueled public anger. Critics say the absence of a presidential statement on the slain officer reflects a lack of empathy and urgency in addressing insecurity.
Nigeria has recorded more than 3,000 abductions in 2025, according to figures from security trackers, with banditry and insurgency concentrated in the northwest and northeast. Analysts say the numbers highlight the scale of the crisis and the urgency of reforms.
Civil society groups also weighed in. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria urged Tinubu to balance diplomacy with domestic priorities. “Global summits are important, but Nigerians need immediate action to protect schools and communities,” the group said.
The trip underscores the tension between diplomacy and domestic governance. Past leaders, including Muhammadu Buhari, faced similar criticism for traveling abroad during crises. As Tinubu meets world leaders in Johannesburg, families in Borno and Kebbi continue to mourn, highlighting the stark contrast between Nigeria’s international ambitions and its pressing security challenges at home.
