Atiku Abubakar plans a significant visit to the United States to address Nigeria’s escalating crises. He aims to draw international attention to issues like insecurity, economic hardship, and governance failures.
Abubakar will engage with policy and institutional stakeholders during his visit. He described Nigeria as facing a “full-blown internal crisis” that can no longer be ignored. Communities are being overrun, livelihoods destroyed, and citizens abandoned to their fate.
Atiku highlighted several economic challenges. Rising inflation, a weakened currency, and declining purchasing power threaten the Nigerian economy. He warned that the Nigerian state is losing its grip on protecting lives and property.
He rejected claims that engaging international partners is unpatriotic or invites foreign interference. Atiku emphasized that Nigeria does not exist in isolation and its internal failures have external implications.
Key facts:
- Atiku has hired a lobbying firm in Washington for a $1.2 million contract to improve his reputation in the US.
- Nigeria’s foreign reserves dropped to $48.37 billion as of April 29, 2026.
- Crude oil prices surged to around $101 and $108 per barrel in early 2026.
Atiku called for the government to reset its priorities and restore public confidence. He warned that any attempt to undermine transparency in the electoral process will have serious consequences ahead of the 2027 elections.
He stated, “Telling the truth about Nigeria is not unpatriotic.” The choice is between confronting hard truths now or allowing the country to drift further into instability. His visit may shape Nigeria’s international relations as he seeks support from global partners.