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Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has dismissed social media claims suggesting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could face arrest or travel restrictions while attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Ibrahim confirmed that the Nigerian Mission to the UN received no official communication from US authorities regarding any potential restrictions, emphasizing that the President and his family retain protected transit rights under international agreements.
Citing Section 11 of the 1947 UN-US Headquarters Agreement, the envoy noted that US federal, state, and local agencies are legally bound to grant unhindered transit to official representatives of member nations, diplomats, and invited delegation members.
Addressing the online speculation directly, Ibrahim stated, “Social media cannot criminalise or arrest President Bola Tinubu, no matter how much the opposition invested in it. Those efforts will only end as an exercise in futility. He has immunity from arrest in the US during UNGA.”
The ambassador clarified that investigative inquiries or requests for information by foreign law enforcement agencies do not equate to criminal charges or formal judicial convictions.
He highlighted that allegations must undergo strict legal due process and proof beyond reasonable doubt, noting, “Where a conviction cannot be secured in a sensitive criminal matter, the consequences could include substantial compensation.”
Ibrahim added that participating in UNGA remains a sovereign decision, observing that over 60 percent of scheduled speakers are vice presidents and foreign ministers representing their home countries.
Reaffirming national priorities, the envoy urged Nigerians to maintain confidence in the country’s international standing and support ongoing domestic economic reforms.
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