The Federal Government has taken strong exception to a recent travel advisory issued by the United States warning its citizens against travelling to Nigeria, describing the move as unwarranted and damaging to the country’s reputation.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, made the government's position known during the annual retreat of the Nigeria Reputation Management Group, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Abuja on Tuesday. Tuggar, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication Strategy, Alkazeem Abdulkadir, said the advisory paints an unbalanced picture of Nigeria and contributes to negative international perception.
The U.S. advisory, published on the website of its embassy in Nigeria, flagged widespread security concerns, including terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. It explicitly warned citizens not to travel to Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa States due to terrorism and kidnapping, and advised against visiting states such as Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers (excluding Port Harcourt) over threats of crime and violence.
The advisory noted that criminals frequently target U.S. nationals and Nigerians perceived as wealthy, adding that “kidnapping gangs have also stopped victims on interstate roads.”
But Tuggar, in his reaction, said the U.S. lacked the moral standing to issue such warnings, citing the high number of violent deaths recorded in the country annually.
“In 2024 alone, nearly 47,000 people died from gun-related violence in America. Projections for 2025 stand at 45,000 deaths. Yet we do not see Nigeria issuing travel warnings to its citizens about visiting the U.S.,” he said.
He accused Nigerians of enabling such narratives by failing to challenge them. “There is a saying: if the lion doesn’t learn to write, the story will always favour the hunter. That’s what’s happening here. For too long, we’ve allowed other countries to shape the narrative about Nigeria unchecked,” he added.
Tuggar revealed that Nigeria had, in the past, responded to similar advisories by issuing its own warnings. “We responded to Australia and the UK when they published similar advisories. It’s time we took control of our narrative. What we see today is a form of self-flagellation—where we constantly downplay ourselves while others dictate how we are perceived.”
He urged communication professionals to take the lead in reframing Nigeria’s image, adding that media diplomacy was essential in attracting investment, strengthening bilateral ties, and repositioning the country globally under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
Public relations consultant Modupe Adetokunbo, who delivered the keynote at the event, lamented the entrenched negative perception of Nigeria both locally and abroad, saying the national psyche has been shaped by prolonged hardship.
“When you ask the average Nigerian how they are, the response has shifted from ‘we thank God’ to ‘it is well’—a phrase loaded with resignation,” he said. “That’s why we’re witnessing mass migration, capital flight, and rising despair. Begging has moved from the streets to homes and even institutions.”
He also referenced a recent viral video showing police officers receiving cash handouts from visiting foreigners, describing it as emblematic of a deeper societal issue.
On his part, NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Dr Ike Neliaku, emphasised the importance of Nigerians telling their own stories.
“We have inspiring stories—from the achievements of the Super Falcons to the brilliance of a young Nigerian girl in mathematics. But we don’t tell them enough. Instead, we allow foreign narratives to dominate the space,” he said.
Neliaku warned that consistently outsourcing Nigeria’s storytelling would continue to erode national pride and international standing.
“The world runs on narratives, and those who control them control perception. If we keep letting others define us, we will continue to battle reputational damage. Nigeria is a great nation—by any standard—and we must never lose sight of that,” he said.
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