Nigerians React: Tinubu’s Trouble with Trump Is Self-Inflicted — Citizens Blame Government Failures, Economic Missteps
Angry and frustrated Nigerians have joined the growing conversation over the heated diplomatic tension between the United States and Nigeria, saying President Bola Tinubu’s troubles with former U.S. President Donald Trump are “self-inflicted” and a result of poor governance and failed economic policies.
Speaking on behalf of many Nigerians who feel abandoned by those in power, some citizens agreed with the position of Midu Sanni, the former Chief Imam of Lagos State University, who said Tinubu’s administration is reaping the consequences of its own systemic failures.
Many Nigerians say the government’s inability to fix insecurity, stabilise the economy, and maintain good international relations has now placed the country under unnecessary foreign pressure. “We are tired of hearing that everything is fine when people are dying of hunger and banditry every day,” one resident in Lagos lamented.
The cleric’s warning that Trump’s invasion threat could have been avoided if the Nigerian government had acted responsibly resonated with citizens who accuse the government of playing politics with people’s lives. “For years, politicians have ignored the killings, corruption, and misuse of public funds. Now the world is reacting, and they are panicking,” said a youth activist in Abuja.
Sanni also blamed the collapse of Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement, the lack of strong media communication, and the failure to appoint ambassadors to key countries as part of the reason the international community misunderstands Nigeria’s situation. Nigerians echoed this view, saying the government has failed to tell the world the truth about the nation’s struggles.
Many citizens further agree with the cleric that Trump’s actions are not just about human rights but also about economic interests, especially following Tinubu’s reforms in the oil and financial sectors. “They are fighting for their pockets, not for us,” said a trader in Ibadan. “But our leaders gave them the chance by mismanaging Nigeria.”
Nigerians are now calling on both Christian and Muslim leaders to stand together to defend the country’s image and protect the lives of citizens, rather than allowing political and foreign manipulation to divide them. “What we need now is unity, honesty, and real leadership — not blame games,” another resident added.
As tension continues to grow between Nigeria and foreign powers, citizens say the government must act fast to rebuild trust, fix the economy, and restore Nigeria’s dignity before things get worse.
