Presidential aide Segun Dada has debunked viral claims suggesting that President Bola Tinubu will be traveling to the United States on Tuesday, November 4, to meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance over Nigeria’s redesignation as a “Country of Concern.”
The speculation, which spread rapidly across social media platforms, alleged that the President was embarking on a diplomatic mission to discuss the alleged “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and appeal for the decision to be reversed.
However, Dada, who serves as the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, dismissed the claims on Sunday, describing them as “very, very fake news.”
In a post shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, he wrote:
“Very, very fake news.”
The clarification comes growing international debate following reports that the U.S. government under President Donald Trump had relisted Nigeria as a country of concern for alleged religious persecution.
The designation, if true, could affect bilateral relations and foreign aid allocations.
Tinubu not scheduled for U.S. visit
According to sources within the Presidency, there are currently no official travel plans for the President to visit Washington.
The Nigerian government has maintained that claims of widespread religious violence or targeted persecution in the country are exaggerated and politically motivated.
In addition, the Presidency has emphasized that President Tinubu remains focused on implementing his domestic reform agenda and improving Nigeria’s economic stability rather than reacting to unfounded reports.
The alleged Tinubu US visit rumor surfaced following unverified online reports claiming that President Trump had instructed the U.S. Department of War to prepare for possible “military action” against Nigeria over the alleged killings of Christians.
This claim triggered a wave of online discussions and misinformation, prompting swift responses from government officials and political commentators.
Furthermore, political analysts have urged Nigerians to verify information before sharing it, noting that the circulation of false diplomatic reports could harm Nigeria’s image abroad.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has repeatedly insisted that it remains committed to protecting freedom of worship and ensuring peaceful coexistence among all religious groups.
In earlier statements, government officials stressed that Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees the rights of citizens to practice any faith without fear of discrimination or violence.
The Presidency also reassured citizens that diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the United States remain strong and based on mutual respect, collaboration, and shared democratic values.
As of press time, the U.S. government has not issued any formal statement confirming or denying the alleged redesignation of Nigeria or any planned meeting with President Tinubu.
