The Nigerian federal government has issued a stern warning to the United States Mission in Nigeria, accusing it of actively promoting what officials describe as a “relentless smear campaign” and spreading “jaundiced narratives” aimed at tarnishing the country’s image. High-ranking government sources, speaking under condition of anonymity, said the U.S. Mission’s recent conduct risked further damaging bilateral relations with Africa’s largest democracy.
At the heart of the diplomatic tension is a report circulated by the U.S. Mission originally published by The Africa Report, a Paris-based media outlet which criticized Nigerian political elites for what it called excessive government spending on state buildings amid widespread poverty. The report singled out new government house projects in Oyo and Gombe states, portraying them as symbols of governmental extravagance.
However, Nigerian officials are pushing back forcefully, claiming the report is misleading and deliberately misrepresents facts for ulterior motives. One government insider pointed out that both governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State are known for fiscal prudence and strong governance records.
“Governor Makinde has consistently earned commendations for effective leadership and transparency in public finance, while Governor Yahaya has overseen major improvements in healthcare, infrastructure, and civil servant welfare,” the source said. “Painting them as irresponsible spenders is simply dishonest.”
According to these insiders, the publication’s critical stance may be linked to a failed business proposition involving the Nigerian Governors’ Forum. They allege that the magazine’s publisher, who inherited the platform from his late father, previously attempted to get Nigerian governors to sponsor participation in an “Africa Roundtable” event in Abidjan a pitch that was ultimately declined. This refusal, sources claim, led to strained relations and the magazine’s subsequent negative coverage, which the U.S. Mission has been accused of amplifying “with enthusiasm.”
But beyond media disagreements, officials argue that the U.S. Mission’s actions amount to interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, violating international diplomatic protocols. “This goes against Article 41(1) of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which clearly prohibits diplomats from meddling in the domestic matters of their host countries,” said a senior Nigerian diplomat.
Adding to the friction is a recent U.S. State Department travel advisory, dated July 15, 2025, which warned American citizens to avoid 18 Nigerian states due to risks including terrorism, kidnapping, and substandard healthcare. Nigerian officials criticized the advisory as “alarmist” and out of context, suggesting it paints the entire country in a negative light while ignoring areas of stability and progress, such as Lagos and Abuja.
One Nigerian analyst noted the irony in the advisory: “The U.S. is expected to lose nearly 47,000 citizens to gun violence this year, yet it portrays Nigeria where many regions are safer than some American cities as a danger zone. It’s a deeply distorted perspective.”
Despite rising tensions, Nigerian authorities emphasized that the country remains committed to its relationship with the United States. “We continue to value the longstanding support from the U.S. government,” said one official. “However, respect must be mutual. This partnership cannot come at the cost of Nigeria’s dignity or sovereignty.”
The situation continues to unfold amid growing scrutiny of how foreign missions engage with local media and political narratives particularly in emerging democracies striving to assert greater global agency.
