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Nigerian President Tinubu Did Meet US President Biden in First Year, Contrary to Viral Claims
A viral social media claim suggesting that President Bola Tinubu is the only Nigerian president since 1999 who failed to meet with a US president during his first year in office has been debunked by official records from both governments.
The false claim originated on November 2, 2025, when an X (formerly Twitter) account with the username @ADCVanguard posted photos of previous Nigerian leaders meeting US presidents alongside a provocative caption: “Every Nigerian president met the U.S. President in their first year, except Tinubu. The world knows what we refuse to admit. What does that tell you?” The post quickly gained traction, accumulating over 90,000 views and 1,000 likes.
Official documents and media reports clearly contradict this assertion. President Tinubu met with US President Joe Biden on September 10, 2023, just over three months after his inauguration. The encounter took place during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, and was documented in official statements from both governments.
According to a readout published on the US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria’s website, the meeting “reaffirmed the strong bilateral relations between both countries.” Nigeria’s State House also released a corresponding statement titled “President Bola Tinubu’s Engagement with US President Joe Biden at the G20 Summit, September 10, 2023,” confirming that the leaders held a “brief but significant discussion.”
During this meeting, Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s desire for deeper cooperation on economic development, democratic governance, regional stability, and multilateral reforms. Both leaders reportedly agreed to continue discussions at future engagements, including a planned bilateral meeting at the United Nations General Assembly later that month.
The diplomatic relationship continued beyond this initial meeting. On October 30, 2024, the US Mission in Nigeria issued another official statement confirming that President Biden (then former US president) held a phone call with President Tinubu to discuss cooperation on humanitarian issues, law enforcement, cryptocurrencies, and international institutional reforms to include stronger African representation.
For historical context, all Nigerian presidents since the country’s return to democracy in 1999 have indeed met with their US counterparts during their first year in office:
Olusegun Obasanjo met with President Bill Clinton at the White House on October 28, 1999, five months after taking office, focusing on Nigeria’s democratic transition and debt relief.
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua met with President George W. Bush at the White House on December 13, 2007, with discussions covering counter-terrorism, trade, and governance initiatives.
Goodluck Jonathan met President Barack Obama in Washington on April 12, 2010, less than a year after assuming office following Yar’Adua’s death, and again in June 2011.
Muhammadu Buhari met with President Obama at the White House on July 20, 2015, within two months of his inauguration, to address the fight against Boko Haram and economic recovery strategies.
The viral claim appears to be part of a pattern of misinformation about diplomatic relations under the Tinubu administration. Far from being diplomatically isolated, Nigeria under Tinubu has maintained active engagement with the United States, including through the 2024 US-Nigeria Binational Commission meeting and Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Abuja.
This fact-check underscores the importance of verifying information before sharing, particularly claims about international diplomatic relationships that can shape public perception of a nation’s standing on the global stage.
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7 Comments
It’s encouraging to see that President Tinubu was able to meet with President Biden relatively early in his term, despite the viral claim. Maintaining open communication between the two countries seems crucial.
As someone interested in African politics and global affairs, I appreciate these fact-checking efforts to provide accurate information and counter misleading narratives. It helps build a more informed understanding of international relations.
I agree, transparency and accountability around these high-level meetings is important. Debunking false claims with verified facts is a valuable service to the public.
This article provides a good overview of the issue. It’s a helpful reminder that we shouldn’t always trust viral social media posts and should instead rely on official sources and fact-checking.
I’m curious to learn more about the dynamics between Nigeria and the US. Do these meetings typically cover a wide range of topics or are they more focused on specific issues like trade, security, or development aid?
That’s a good question. From what I’ve read, these meetings often touch on a mix of political, economic, and security matters that are important to both countries. But the specific focus can vary depending on the current priorities and challenges they’re facing.
Interesting to see the facts behind this viral claim about Nigerian presidents’ meetings with US leaders. It’s good to have official records to clarify the situation and correct any misinformation.