Daniel Bwala, President Bola Tinubu’s special advisor on media and policy communication, defends the president’s recent two-day state visit to the United Kingdom in an attempt to offset home criticism.
On Friday, March 20, 2026, Bwala took to Facebook to address the negative reactions from opposition leaders who claimed that the trip was unnecessary given Nigeria’s internal economic difficulties and to portray it as an essential mission for national development.
He disagreed with the notion that isolation could lead to progress; in his words, “You don’t grow and develop Nigeria by sitting at home and waiting.” He claimed that such international awareness is the only way to advance the nation and claimed that the high-level meeting with King Charles III at Windsor Castle was intended to “open doors” for foreign direct investment and job creation.
The presidential advisor stressed that the British monarchy’s “diplomatic show of soft power” was an indication of “mutual trust” and a “practicable commitment” to work with Nigeria on important economic fronts. The administration is under pressure to fulfill its “Renewed Hope” goal, and Bwala’s argument comes at a time when the public is struggling with growing inflation and an unpredictable electricity supply.
Critics object to the optics of an expensive state visit. But rather than “staying quiet” while other countries obtain scarce international resources, Bwala insisted that President Tinubu’s approach of active global involvement is crucial to guaranteeing Nigeria is “seen, heard, and respected on the world stage.”
