Channels Television, via its official X handle, has reported that renowned diplomat and former Nigerian Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exercise caution in dealing with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Akinyemi underscored the importance of avoiding direct confrontations with Trump, whom he described as a political “bully.”
“If I were President Tinubu, I would try to steer clear of antagonizing him because there is nothing a bully likes better than taking on people who are not strong enough to resist him,” Akinyemi remarked. Drawing from an African proverb, he emphasized, “If you are not strong enough to take on a bully and you do, you are only going to suffer more for it.”
Akinyemi, who previously served as Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), urged Tinubu to adopt a calculated and diplomatic approach. “That’s the advice I will give President Tinubu: avoid confrontation even if it means enduring certain provocations or actions that may undermine Nigeria’s interests. There are alternative ways to address such issues without direct conflict,” he advised.
During the discussion, Akinyemi did not mince words in critiquing Trump’s leadership style and foreign policy rhetoric. He described Trump’s recent inaugural speech as “uninspiring, shocking, and depressing,” stating that it lacked the vision to rally global cooperation for peace. Instead, Akinyemi said, Trump used the platform to issue a slew of hostile policy propositions, including reclaiming the Panama Canal, renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, and initiating trade wars.
“Rather than seeking to unite the world, Trump has chosen a path of jingoism and unilateralism,” the octogenarian said. “He will soon learn that there are repercussions to such policies. Unfortunately, the world is in for a rough ride for the duration of his leadership.”
Akinyemi also tempered expectations for Nigeria’s prospects under the Trump presidency. He argued that Africa’s most populous nation is unlikely to be a priority for the 78-year-old leader. “Nigeria is largely out of Trump’s focus, and we should not expect any groundbreaking policies or support from his administration,” he stated.
While urging caution, Akinyemi’s message to the Nigerian government was clear: focus on strategic diplomacy, avoid unnecessary provocations, and brace for a turbulent global political landscape. His seasoned perspective highlights the importance of navigating international relations with tact, particularly in dealing with unpredictable leaders like Trump.
This candid advice from one of Nigeria’s foremost diplomatic voices serves as a reminder of the challenges ahead and the need for level-headed leadership in the country’s dealings on the global stage.
PIONEER NEWS 