Tinubu likely to visit Washington during tenure, Nigerian envoy says

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Kayode Are, has expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will undertake an official visit to Washington during his tenure, saying ongoing diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and the United States provide a strong foundation for such a meeting.

Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television, Are said although presidential travel schedules are influenced by several strategic considerations, relations between President Tinubu and US President Donald Trump remain cordial, with sustained contacts taking place at different levels.

> “With the excellent relations between the two (President Donald Trump and President Bola Tinubu), I’m sure we will be able to get that done one way or the other. Of course, you know the itinerary of presidents determines where they go or where they cannot go.

> “Right now, there is a good level of contacts and engagements from top to bottom even if you have not seen them together physically. I will hope finally that during my tenure, that a presidential visit will be possible. It will be the greatest joy to be able to receive my president here,” Are said.

The ambassador noted that an official presidential visit would further strengthen the strategic partnership between Nigeria and the United States, deepen political and economic cooperation, and create new opportunities for trade, investment and security collaboration.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s three-year absence of a substantive ambassador in Washington, Are described the period as one that weakened bilateral engagement and disrupted the operations of the Nigerian Mission in the United States.

According to him, the diplomatic vacuum affected relations with the US government and the internal functioning of the embassy, where many officers had never served under the leadership of a substantive ambassador.

> “As we speak, I’m still feeling the impact that for three years we didn’t have an ambassador (to the United States). In fact, you will find out that even in my mission here, many of the staff who came from home, they’ve never had an ambassador or worked with an ambassador. So, it’s a new learning experience for them. There is a clear impact,” he said.

He explained that rebuilding diplomatic relationships and restoring institutional momentum requires time, stressing that ambassadors play a vital role in maintaining high-level political engagement, promoting trade and investment, and representing national interests before the host government.

Nigeria had been without a substantive ambassador in Washington since the recall of its envoys in 2023, with career diplomats managing the mission until Are’s appointment.

The ambassador also addressed concerns over visa restrictions affecting Nigerians, noting that immigration has become a major policy issue globally, with countries increasingly adopting measures based on their national interests.

He said current US immigration policies have affected many Nigerians seeking to travel for tourism, business, education and family visits, adding that the embassy receives visa-related enquiries daily.

> “Another issue is the current state of affairs with immigration. All over the world, immigration is generating a lot of attention. Different countries have adopted policies which suit their interests. It has happened that the policies which have been adopted here have restricted the ambitions of some Nigerians, both for their leisure or for business. Every day, I receive enquiries from Nigerians about visas,” he said.

While acknowledging that the presence of an ambassador alone cannot eliminate visa challenges, Are said sustained engagement with American authorities would help Nigeria better navigate evolving immigration policies and protect the interests of its citizens.

> “The visa issues won’t disappear even now that there is an ambassador, but we will create the conditions and engagements with our partners such that those things that are not particularly directed at us, we will learn how to deal with them,” he added.

He urged Nigerians travelling to the United States to comply strictly with the conditions of their visas, warning that overstaying or violating immigration regulations could damage both individual cases and Nigeria’s international reputation.

> “One of the things is that if you come on a visa for a visit, you cannot expect to stay here beyond your visit and expect people to condone you because you are a Nigerian. It won’t happen,” he said.

Are expressed confidence that continued high-level engagement between both governments, responsible conduct by Nigerian travellers, and stronger institutional cooperation would further deepen the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and the United States.

He reiterated his hope of welcoming President Tinubu to Washington during his tenure as Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States.