The Federal Government has strongly criticized the United States Mission in Nigeria, accusing it of orchestrating a deliberate “smear campaign” aimed at tarnishing the image of the country on the global stage.
In a statement released on Monday by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the government expressed deep concern over what it described as “recurring attempts by foreign actors to misrepresent Nigeria’s internal affairs and democratic processes.”
The reaction follows recent comments and reports allegedly linked to the US Mission, which Nigerian officials say portray the country in an unfairly negative light. While specific reports or actions were not directly named, sources within the ministry point to remarks related to governance, electoral integrity, and human rights issues.
“The Federal Government finds it regrettable that certain elements within the US Mission continue to engage in actions that undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and misrepresent the efforts being made to build a stronger, more accountable democracy,” the statement read.
Officials stressed that Nigeria remains committed to upholding democratic values, freedom of expression, and human rights, but warned that misinformation or biased narratives from international partners risk damaging diplomatic ties.
In response to the accusations, diplomatic observers have called for calm and dialogue, urging both nations to reinforce their longstanding partnership and resolve any differences through diplomatic channels.
The United States has yet to issue an official response to the allegations, but analysts say the development could add strain to relations between the two countries, particularly in light of growing security and economic cooperation.