President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing state visit to the United Kingdom has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures, security experts, and civil society groups, who question the timing of the trip amid escalating insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, particularly Borno State.
The president, accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and a delegation of senior government officials, arrived in London earlier this week for a historic visit that includes engagements with King Charles III. The trip marks the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in nearly four decades.
Tinubu was received with full ceremonial honours at Windsor Castle, in what officials described as a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in areas such as trade, immigration, investment, and cultural exchange.
However, the visit has sparked widespread backlash, particularly following a series of coordinated bomb attacks in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, which reportedly left at least 23 people dead and over 100 others injured.
Critics argue that the president’s absence, alongside key security officials, sends the wrong signal at a time when the country is grappling with renewed threats from insurgent groups.
Among those who have voiced concern is Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who described the trip as ill-timed.
“Although the visit may have been scheduled before the incident, what is expected is for the president to return home immediately,” Abdullahi said, adding that the presence of top security officials abroad during a crisis raises serious concerns.
He further criticised what he described as a “massive entourage,” noting that some members of the delegation have direct responsibility for national security.
Echoing similar sentiments, political figure Mukhtar Adnan said the trip reflects a lack of empathy from the nation’s leadership, especially given the scale of recent attacks.
“Seeing the National Security Adviser on the entourage says so much about our lack of commitment and seriousness to what’s our priority,” he stated, stressing that security should remain the government’s foremost concern.
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Security analyst Adamu Bokaji offered a more nuanced perspective, acknowledging that while the president’s physical presence in crisis zones can boost morale, long-term success in combating insurgency depends on institutional strength and strategic consistency.
“The situation remains serious and fragile,” Bokaji said, noting that despite gains by security forces, insurgents retain the ability to launch attacks, particularly in vulnerable areas.
He called for improved intelligence gathering, enhanced troop welfare, better inter-agency coordination, and increased surveillance in high-risk zones.
In response to the attacks, President Tinubu condemned the violence, describing it as a “desperate attempt” by terrorist elements under pressure from Nigerian security forces.
He directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri and take charge of operations, while also ordering emergency agencies to provide immediate care for victims.
“There is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety. We will locate them, confront them, and completely defeat them,” the president said in a statement.
Vice President Kashim Shettima subsequently visited victims of the attacks alongside officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other government bodies, assuring them of adequate support and reaffirming the administration’s commitment to ending terrorism.
Prominent political figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, as well as rights group Amnesty International, have also expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation.
The ADC, in a statement, urged the federal government to prioritise the protection of lives and property over diplomatic engagements, calling on the president to return and focus on addressing the crisis.
Despite the criticism, officials within the administration maintain that the UK visit is crucial for strengthening international partnerships and attracting investment needed to support Nigeria’s economic recovery.
Meanwhile, authorities in Borno State have urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid crowded areas, and report suspicious activities, even as officials say the situation in the state is currently under control.