Adémọ́lá Oshodi

HAPPY UNITED NATIONS DAY! At 81, the United Nations remains an extraordinary expression of humanity’s capacity to imagine a shared future. Its work has supported self-determination, human rights and life-saving aid for people facing war and disaster. Today, I celebrate that contribution and those who give its ideals meaning. For Africa, the UN’s history also makes the case for renewal. Decolonisation widened its membership without a comparable redistribution of permanent authority in the Security Council. An institution that affirms the equality of nations must reflect that principle in how power is exercised. Nigeria’s advocacy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu links fair representation to legitimate decisions on peace and security. We seek at least two permanent African seats with full membership rights. The African reform model submitted this year provides a basis for negotiation; securing change requires sustained work to turn support into agreement. The UN’s ability to act depends on members supporting collective decisions, providing resources and honouring international law. When these commitments weaken, confidence suffers. Rebuilding trust requires governments to uphold their principles, especially when politically difficult. Nigeria’s greater influence also carries a responsibility to serve. Our election this month to the Human Rights Council for 2027–2029 offers a fresh opportunity to protect human dignity. I see this duty as inseparable from consistency between the principles we advocate internationally and the standards we uphold at home. On UN Day 2026, I celebrate what nations have achieved together and remain hopeful about what cooperation can accomplish. For Nigeria, that means a UN in which Africa exercises greater authority and cooperation brings our people greater security and opportunity. The ideals of 1945 remain worthy of our commitment; our responsibility is to give them fuller expression in 2026. #UNDAY #UN@81 #Africaunite #Nigeria #AdemolaOshodi

Bold decisions in governance do not always receive immediate applause, but they define long-term national trajectory. That is the core thought behind my latest article, “Why President Tinubu Is Building Serious Claim to Greatness,” published across major national dailies including @THISDAYLIVE , @IndependentNGR, and @thecableng . When evaluating leadership, history looks beyond immediate headwinds to examine the structural foundation, how a nation corrects inherited vulnerabilities, builds productive capacity, and re-establishes its strategic influence on the regional and global stage. From tough but necessary domestic economic reforms to structural security intervention and an assertive foreign policy, the groundwork for sustainable national strength is being laid. The true test of transformation is whether current stability turns into enduring opportunity for all citizens. That is the broader conversation explored in the article. Read the full piece here: THISDAY: thisdaylive.com/2026/10/17/w… Independent: independent.ng/why-tinubu-is… The Cable: thecable.ng/why-tinubu-is-bu… I welcome your thoughts and perspective. What, in your view, are the key indicators that define enduring presidential leadership in a developing nation? Have a productive new week! #Leadership #Nigeria #EconomicReform #Governance #ForeignPolicy #AdemolaOshodi

Foreign Policy Unpacked | September 2026 In just 104 seconds, you’ll see how Nigeria’s diplomacy protected its citizens and created opportunities in September. This edition unpacks how Nigeria protected its citizens, advanced energy and enterprise partnerships, sought international support for education and regional recovery, and pressed for greater African influence in global decisions. I’d like to hear what stood out to you. I look forward to your thoughts. Cheers to the new month! #ForeignPolicyUnpacked #Nigeria #September2026 #AdemolaOshodi

66 years after, our story is still being written. Happy Independence Day! #Nigeriaat66 #Independence #AdemolaOshodi

Wọ́n ṣe bí ọ̀lá tán, ọ̀lá ò tán, ọ̀lá kúṣe yín oo. Wà máa Wùkò, Wà máa Yínmú mú, wà máa seju wọ́n ṣe bí ọ̀lá tán, ọ̀lá ò tán, ọ̀lá kúṣe yín oo.

President Tinubu’s Absence Does Not Silence Nigeria at UNGA 81. Yesterday, I joined @seunokin on @channelstv Sunday Politics to discuss President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to have Vice-President Kashim Shettima lead Nigeria’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly for the third consecutive year. The conversation soon opened a bigger question: what actually demonstrates seriousness in foreign policy? UNGA High-Level Week brings world leaders together and creates valuable opportunities for direct engagement. That value should be recognised, but it cannot become the sole measure of a country’s diplomatic commitment. Diplomacy also depends on institutions, continuity, the authority of a country’s representatives and the work that follows each engagement. Vice-President Shettima is Nigeria’s second-highest elected officer and carries the President’s full mandate. Supported by Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, and other senior officials, he will deliver Nigeria’s national statement and conduct high-level bilateral and multilateral engagements. The more sensational claim that President Tinubu’s absence reflects a legal or immigration restriction in the United States has no factual foundation. The President attended UNGA 78 in New York in 2023 and undertook engagements outside the UN Headquarters district, including at NASDAQ. He was also in Los Angeles in August 2025 before travelling onward to Brazil. I accompanied him on both occasions. Questions about his decision to delegate are legitimate; the invented entry-bar explanation is political gimmickry and nonsense. Nigeria arrives in New York with substantial priorities. Vice-President Shettima will address insecurity across the Sahel, explain the direction of Nigeria’s economic reforms, press for fairer global financial rules, advance climate action and argue for stronger African representation in international institutions. These issues directly affect Nigerians. Decisions on security cooperation, climate finance, investment, and the global financial system affect jobs, government revenue, economic opportunity, and the state’s capacity to protect its citizens. Nigeria’s diplomacy also extends beyond the UN. The administration works through ECOWAS, the African Union, BRICS and bilateral relationships to advance the country’s interests. UNGA is an important part of that wider diplomatic engagement. Public scrutiny of presidential attendance is healthy, but Nigeria is fully represented with sufficient authority. A fuller judgement must also consider whether Nigeria clearly advances its positions and whether its engagements produce useful results for Nigerian. That is the standard by which Nigeria’s participation at UNGA 81 should be assessed. Watch the conversation: youtube.com/watch?v=SW76Qt6P… #UNGA81 #SundayPolitics #NigeriaForeignPolicy #AdemolaOshodi

Foreign Policy Unpacked | August 2026 Repatriation, aviation rights, customs infrastructure, tariff access, peace financing and international taxation defined Nigeria’s diplomacy in August. The practical connection is in Nigeria’s ability to protect citizens beyond its territory, address insecurity with its neighbours, create usable routes into foreign markets, and secure a fair share of the revenue generated by its economy. #ForeignPolicyUnpacked #Nigeria #August2026 #AdemolaOshodi

超光养晦 (taoguang yanghui),

Today, on International Youth Day, I am pleased to announce the opening of the Young & Diplomatic 2026 National Essay Competition. This year’s theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” speaks to the hopes young people share for opportunity, dignity and a meaningful voice in the decisions that shape their future. Young & Diplomatic grew from the conviction that recognising these aspirations must go beyond praising the potential of our young people. We must create spaces where they can examine the forces changing their lives, question prevailing assumptions and contribute ideas that demand serious attention. Its first major initiative asks young Nigerians to engage with one of the defining questions of our time: “Young People, Artificial Intelligence and Nigeria’s Future in a Changing World.” Artificial Intelligence is already changing how people learn, work, create, access information and participate in society. It presents considerable opportunities, but also raises difficult questions about employment, inequality, ethics, privacy and misinformation. The choices Nigeria makes in response will have lasting consequences for this generation and those that follow. Young Nigerians should therefore be active participants in the conversation, bringing their experiences, questions and ideas to it. I hope the competition brings forward thoughtful perspectives that deepen the national conversation about Artificial Intelligence and Nigeria’s future. The attached flyer contains the key details, while full eligibility information, essay requirements, prizes and submission are available at younganddiplomatic.org. On this International Youth Day, I encourage young Nigerians with something thoughtful to say about our future to take part. Happy International Youth Day. #InternationalYouthDay2026 #YoungAndDiplomatic #EssayCompetition2026 #ArtificialIntelligence #NigerianYouth

Asiko wa gbe wa de l'ile

Foreign Policy Unpacked | July 2026 This edition shows how Nigeria turned earlier diplomatic engagements into early results across three connected fronts: 🔹 Protecting Citizens and Bringing Them Home 🔹 Putting Partnerships into Action 🔹 Advancing Regional Security, Trade, and Energy 👉 Over to you: From an economic and governance standpoint, which of these three pillars do you believe will yield the highest long-term returns for the nation? Let's discuss in the comments. #ForeignPolicyUnpacked #Nigeria #July2026 #AdemolaOshodi

Adewale Ajàdì’s new book Afrilition 21st century African manifesto is out on Amazon.com ( also available on Amazon.co. uk but search with Adewale Ajàdì) and signed copies from adewaleajadi.com Great read!

Trump’s Commendation Should Strengthen Nigeria–US Relations President Trump’s commendation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognises the administration’s efforts against a complex security challenge that extends beyond Nigeria’s borders. That recognition is important because the crisis Nigeria is confronting forms part of a wider threat spreading across the Sahel. If left to deepen, this crisis will not remain confined to West Africa. Terrorist networks cross borders, exploit illicit financial channels, and capitalize on weaknesses in regional coordination. Its consequences for migration, trade, and international security make the Sahel a shared international concern, not an African burden alone. The forthcoming United Nations General Assembly gives Nigeria an important platform to press that case. The priority must be to secure deeper intelligence cooperation, stronger action against terrorist financing, and sustained international support for African-led security initiatives. The international community needs to give the Sahel the attention it deserves. #NTAExecutiveRecap #Nigeria #UNGA2026 #AdemolaOshodi

Building on my post from yesterday regarding the xenophobic attacks in South Africa: There have been many questions regarding the Nigerian government's "muscle" and stance on the crisis in South Africa. In this interview with @channelstv, I provide a detailed breakdown of our diplomatic approach, the evacuation efforts, and why a measured, strategic response is the most effective path forward. We discuss: •The Diplomatic Reality: Engaging the South African government to protect our nationals. •The Evacuation Process: The current status of operations on the ground. •Strategic vs. Reactive: Why we are prioritizing a calculated approach for long-term stability. You can watch the full conversation here: [youtu.be/YD8bh19N90k?si=spBX…] I welcome your thoughts on the balance between diplomatic intervention and the call for stronger, more immediate actions. #June30 #Xenophobia #Africaunite #Nigeria #AdemolaOshodi

June 30th Deadline: As I mentioned in the international news segment of Al Jazeera, “Nigeria will not tolerate; Nigeria will not accept any violent actions against its nationals. We have given South Africa enough warning...” The warning is simple: Nigeria expects action. Investigate every reported attack, protect Nigerian communities, restrain vigilante groups, prosecute wrongdoing, and activate the Nigeria–South Africa Early Warning Mechanism without further delay. South Africa has every right to enforce its immigration laws. But that responsibility belongs to the state, through lawful institutions, not to mobs, vigilante groups, or political movements targeting foreign nationals. No African should be attacked, threatened, denied healthcare, pushed out of business, or humiliated because of where they come from. Africa cannot speak of unity while Africans remain unsafe in Africa. Coups, xenophobia, weak border cooperation, inherited colonial divisions, and dependence on outside powers continue to pull the continent apart. What should bring us together is more urgent: the protection of African lives, democracy that delivers, stronger security cooperation, lawful movement across our continent, and African solutions financed by Africans. Nigeria stood with South Africa during the struggle against apartheid. That history carries weight. But friendship cannot mean silence when Nigerian lives are at risk. Check out the full clip here: youtu.be/z3dAgvGcOos?si=KBZ2… #June30 #Xenophobia #Africaunite #Nigeria #AdemolaOshodi