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The Nigerian government has dismissed some criticisms of President Bola Tinubu’s policies as coming from a “lack of adequate knowledge” or “sheer mischief”, the Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said during an engagement with international media in the United Kingdom.
The briefing was part of preparations for Tinubu’s state visit to the UK this week, where he will be hosted by His Majesty King Charles III.
“We know that Nigeria has had its own fair share of criticism about some of those policies that were instituted back home, some of them (criticism) arising from a lack of adequate knowledge and some out of sheer mischief,” Idris said.
According to Idris, the visit is “significant in many ways” and demonstrates the “historic and strategic relationship” between Nigeria and the UK, backed by strong diplomatic, commercial, cultural, and democratic ties.
He added that it provides an opportunity to strengthen collaboration on trade, investment, security, climate action, education, and technological innovation.
“For decades, our two countries have maintained a partnership that spans trade, education, security cooperation, cultural exchange, and shared democratic values.
“President Tumbu’s visit provides an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration across critical areas, including trade and investment, security cooperation, climate action, education, and technological innovation.
“It also reflects Nigeria’s growing importance as a key democratic and economic partner in Africa, and a responsible participant in global affairs,” Idris said.
He explained that the media engagement aimed to clarify government policies and programmes implemented over Tinubu’s nearly three-year tenure and to take questions or advice from international media representatives.
“So, as communicators, we thought that it is important, regardless of whatever position anyone may have taken, to go through some of these programmes and policies that have happened in the last… close to three years, and then interact with you.
“Where you have questions, we take them; where you seek clarifications, we provide. Where we need to take some advice from you, we’ll also take and get back home,” he added.
The delegation accompanying Tinubu includes ministers and presidential aides, with high-level engagements expected to reinforce economic, diplomatic, and strategic ties between Nigeria and the UK.
