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Tinubu's France Visit Sparks Outrage Over Photo With Low-Ranking U.S. Diplomat

Abuja, Nigeria – April 10, 2025 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent trip to France has come under sharp criticism after the presidency released a photo of him meeting with a relatively low-ranking American diplomat, a move political analysts say undermines the dignity of the Nigerian presidency.

Renowned political commentator and columnist, Dr. Ugo Egbujo, took to his official Facebook page to express his dissatisfaction with what he described as an “embarrassing and unnecessary attempt to pass off a private vacation as a working visit.”

According to Egbujo, the individual Tinubu met in France—Mr. Boulos, a U.S. foreign service adviser who is also reportedly related to President Donald Trump—holds no significant standing that would warrant a presidential audience, especially on foreign soil.

“A Nigerian diplomat of that guy's level can never go near an American president dead, alive, or hibernating in a foreign country,” Egbujo wrote. “Let alone such a visit be publicized as work.”

He argued that if the meeting was truly related to security or foreign relations, Boulos should have met Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, or at most the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, instead of chasing the president to France for a photo opportunity.

“By strict diplomatic protocol, that guy shouldn’t even be able to pose for pictures with Tuggar [Foreign Minister] or Ribadu, let alone the President,” he said. “Publishing the photo and branding it as evidence of a working visit is ridiculous.”

Egbujo questioned the intent behind publicizing such a meeting and suggested that if Boulos is a personal acquaintance of the President, it should not be projected as official diplomatic engagement.

“If Boulos is Tinubu's ‘paddy man’ from way back, then people shouldn't publish these pictures like they are work photos. Let’s stop belittling our country,” he said.

He further stated that the prestige of Nigeria’s presidency should be protected at all times, even more so on the international stage.

“The President of Nigeria cannot be seen entertaining low-level diplomats abroad as if it were a presidential summit. That photograph sends the wrong message about the weight of our office.”

The presidency has yet to respond officially to the backlash, but supporters of President Tinubu have maintained that his visit to France included high-level discussions and personal engagements, which, according to them, are common for presidents worldwide.

However, Egbujo concluded that the optics of the visit were poor, calling on the government’s media handlers to be more mindful of the image they project.

“Our country is hard enough. Let’s not add insult to injury by calling leisure trips official business,” he wrote.

As the debate continues online and across political circles, many Nigerians are calling for greater transparency and adherence to diplomatic protocols in the portrayal of presidential activities abroad.

Source: The Bureau Newspaper

Mr Boulous is one of the most powerful lobbyist in Washington today , he has unfettered access to president Trump , he is not low level , apart from Elon Musk and Kid rock this is one man that can easily get you to see Trump

..instead of saying it as it is..no the Senior domestic servants of Thief'nubu decided to throw caution to the Wind insinusting Thief'nubu's medical & leisure visit i France is a working visit..working then for who..?

..cowards..who don't stand for anything but lies, deceit & more lies to pomote their useless deflated egos..Most of Thief'nubu domestic staff are been kidnspped & dominnated by fulani herdsmen men..while Thief'nubu is in france deceiving the hopeless batists with lies of a "high level delegation" that will benefit them & their families..

..BATists = attack dogs = area boys = domestic servants..

That is not the point.

The point is he went to see the president.

Ok

Ugo Egbujo, took to his official Facebook page to express his dissatisfaction with what he described as an “embarrassing and unnecessary attempt to pass off a private vacation as a working visit.”

Massad Bolous is the Special Adviser to President Trump on Africa, Arab and Middle East affairs.

Anyway, not surprised at all. Only folks with names like this can pen this rubbish. The hatred and envy is deeply ingrained in them. They just can’t help it.

seunmsg:
Not surprised at all. Only folks with names like this can pen this rubbish. The hatred and envy is deeply ingrained in them. They just can’t help it.

They are only copying what your ilks did to Jonathan

seunmsg:
Not surprised at all. Only folks with names like this can pen this rubbish. The hatred and envy is deeply ingrained in them. They just can’t help it.

..BATist..he sees nothing wrong other than attack the name & where he comes from..

..of all things said..the stipend grabber has initiated a tribal sense of judgement..to deviate from the Crux of the matter..these are the types of BATists who claim to be sophisticated & educated..but can never grow beyond tribal clannishness..no self worth..to survive as a man in one Nigeria..means been tribalistic..

..you are irreparably irredeemable

SalamRushdie:
Mr Boulous is one of the most powerful lobbyist in Washington today , he has unfettered access to president Trump , he is not low level , apart from Elon Musk and Kid rock this is one man that can easily get you to see Trump

So Tinubu a sitting president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria needs this man before he can access Trump? It is finished.

You even insulted Tinubu with your statement.

Tinubu is a terrible illegitimate president

He does not know his left from his right

Tochi3:


..BATist..he sees nothing wrong other than to attack the name & where he comes from..

..off all things said..the stipend grabber has initiated a tribal sense of judgement..to deviate from the Crux of the matter..this are the types of BATists who claims to be sophisticated & educated..but can never grow above tribal clannishness..no self worth..to survive as a man in one Nigeria..means been tribalistic..

..you are irreparably irredeemable

I agree with you 100%. Totally irredeemable.

Looking at Tinubu, he doesn't even have the Presidential charisma or look that commands respect as a President, and that is the man representing great Nigerian women and men like myself


Nigeria have been so unlucky with leaders, all because of tribalism and religious higgy hagga that have put Nigeria in a crinkum-crankum condition for decades

Opposition is not madness.

Hope some people have not been running mad with their own opposition in Nigeria. Opposition don't mean you should just be opposing for no sensible reason

How many world leaders have president Tinubu met? Why should the meeting with Us representatives junior or senior be any news?

Annoyingly, those who have refused to be making use of their free gifted senses, reasoning things logically would massage their egos on this

Heh, this one is fine, this one is nice, this one is good na him make madman carry load oo

Macphenson:
So Tinubu a sirring president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria this man before he can access Trump? It is finished.

Uou even insulted Tinubu with your statement.

Yes he is probably trying to get access to Trump and this is the best man to use ..BTW the man is even a Nigerian Citizen also lives in Lagos with his wife Sarah

SalamRushdie:
Mr Boulous is one of the most powerful lobbyist in Washington today , he has unfettered access to president Trump , he is not low level , apart from Elon Musk and Kid rock this is one man that can easily get you to see Trump

This guy's are always bitter from him write up you go know

seunmsg:
Massad Bolous is the Special Adviser to President Trump on Africa, Arab and Middle East affairs.

Imagine how low and disoriented your reasoning is.
Even the photo alone is so insulting.
A so called president is meeting with special adviser to trump. Not even a single insignia of flag or authority of nation.

Reason bro. The writer is absolutely on point.
You guys are too dull. You keep belittling and disgracing the nation in the name of trying to package lies.
Something like this should not even be in the public.

SalamRushdie:
Mr Boulous is one of the most powerful lobbyist in Washington today , he has unfettered access to president Trump , he is not low level , apart from Elon Musk and Kid rock this is one man that can easily get you to see Trump

Bro you remember on the thread of president Tinubu visiting France, I said some people would prefer to meet him outside Nigeria the than come here. So any deals would be sealed with that visit

A lobbyist connected to the top world leaders is what the opposition for nothing is calling junior officer

Tntsi:
Imagine how low and disoriented your reasoning is.
Even the photo alone is so insulting.
A so called president is meeting with special adviser to trump. Not even a single insignia of flag or authority of nation.

Reason bro. The writer is absolutely on point.
You guys are too dull. You keep belittling and disgracing the nation in the name of trying to package lies.
Something like this should not even be in the public.

You are the one who is not reasoning. How many world leader presidents have president Tinubu met?

Didn't president Tinubu meet with Anthony Joshua, is he also a politician? Why should this be a news?

Una own opposition is actually disgusting as you prefer to engage in petty discussion like this

See the person BaTISTs compare to OBJ. Some even say he’s greater than Obj. Obj that not only met 1 but 3 sitting USA presidents. He didn’t travel to them, they came to Nigeria to visit him.

You lots celebrate the president meeting a special adviser to another president to discuss security matters. How insulting.

SalamRushdie:
Yes he is probably trying to get access to Trump and this is the best man to use ..BTW the man is even a Nigerian Citizen also lives in Lagos with his wife Sarah

Shame no even dey catch you that Tinubu a sitting President is struggling to get access of Donald Trump.

Chaii.

My God , Boulous a Lagos boy , is he the American official they are talking about ? He is Trump’s Inlaw and something for Africa

Tinubu traveled to France the president of France traveled to Egypt, something is not adding up. Wetin Tinubu go do gan gan for France?

The meeting was with the Nigerian community.

Black people are second class humans normally.

All these black presidents don't care.
As long as the person they are meeting is white, just bring them on, even if they are support workers.

You can be in Nigeria and not see your president or governor for the entire 4/8 years.

Once you travel to a white man's country and the president visits there, they'll look for you to come and welcome the president. Why? Because you are now in a white man's land so you have small respect

Very low class humans, blacks

So dumpasses think that the great America will go see a FBI asset in France. People sha!!

seunmsg:
Massad Bolous is the Special Adviser to President Trump on Africa, Arab and Middle East affairs.

Anyway, not surprised at all. Only folks with names like this can pen this rubbish. The hatred and envy is deeply ingrained in them. They just can’t help it.

Nairaland clown insulting a medical doctor cum lawyer
Wonders shall never cease

No be so e go take beg

SalamRushdie:
Mr Boulous is one of the most powerful lobbyist in Washington today , he has unfettered access to president Trump , he is not low level , apart from Elon Musk and Kid rock this is one man that can easily get you to see Trump

An in law to trump..He will definitely have access to him

Ugo Egbujo....

These people will die out of envy of their Colonial Masters.

Hausa/Fulani are the less gentle Masters. They know the keys to domestication of an Ekuke dog is flogging without mercy.

They are afraid of them till date.

Okay na

This tinibu sleeps n wakes up in wickedness..
Worst ruler ever.