FACT CHECK: Viral Claims of Okonjo-Iweala Snubbing President Tinubu at BRICS Summit Are False, Misleading, and Politically Motivated
By the National Patriots.
Headlinenews.News Investigative Desk
July 8, 2025
> “In an age where a photo can deceive and a caption can incite, truth becomes the first casualty of desperate politics.”
— Dr. G. Fraser, MFR, International Governance Consultant
As the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro draws international acclaim for fostering South-South cooperation, a disturbing trend of misinformation has emerged on Nigerian social media platforms. Multiple viral posts and doctored images falsely claim that the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, “snubbed” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the summit, deliberately posting photos with other world leaders while ignoring Nigeria’s head of state.
These reports, largely propagated by opposition-aligned accounts, have been proven false through independent investigation by HeadlineNews.News has obtained and verified official photographs and video footage showing Dr. Okonjo-Iweala greeting, interacting with, and posing alongside President Tinubu during high-level sessions of the BRICS Summit.
The Truth: Tinubu and Okonjo-Iweala Engaged at BRICS
Contrary to the politically charged narrative, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala was seen welcoming President Tinubu during one of the leaders’ sessions, with photos showing her smiling and speaking with him as he arrived. The Brazilian presidency also released official video footage showing President Tinubu with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, flanked by African and global dignitaries—including Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and other heads of international agencies.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, who secured her second term at the WTO with the active backing of the APC administration, maintains diplomatic neutrality in her global role but has never hidden her support for Nigeria’s reformist direction under the Tinubu government.
Deliberate Disinformation: Opposition Politics or Digital Sabotage?
The opposition’s attempt to push this false narrative signals a troubling escalation in politics of bitterness and calumny. While robust opposition is a feature of democracy, the current climate suggests a weaponization of fake news to delegitimize the Presidency, undermine Nigeria’s global standing and mislead the public during an economically delicate period.
> “There is a limit to politicking. What we are witnessing now is not dissent—it is destruction masked as opposition.”
— Dr. G. Fraser, MF.
Comparative Global Context: How Other Democracies Respond
Across the globe, mature democracies have legal and regulatory frameworks that clamp down on coordinated misinformation targeting the state or its representatives:
Country Action Taken
- France In 2023, France fined political influencers for spreading false content about Macron’s climate policy.
- India Under its IT Rules, 2021, the Indian government compels platforms to remove fake content within 24 hours, especially during elections.
- Singapore passed the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) to penalize intentional false reporting.
- UK The Online Safety Bill empowers Ofcom to regulate platforms that publish harmful misinformation targeting government institutions.
- USA Though protected by free speech laws, intelligence agencies have routinely flagged and de-platformed coordinated disinformation campaigns targeting the presidency.
In Nigeria, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition) Act 2015 criminalizes the deliberate spread of false information. However, enforcement has been cautious due to political sensitivities—an issue that may now require revisiting.
President Tinubu’s BRICS Participation: A Reaffirmation of Global Relevance
President Tinubu’s presence at the BRICS Summit was not only recognized, but honored:
- Photographed with world leaders including Lula da Silva (Brazil), Narendra Modi (India), and heads of the African Union and UNCTAD.
- Delivered a keynote address highlighting Nigeria’s economic reforms, energy partnerships, and strategic priorities.
- Participated in closed-door sessions on trade cooperation, multilateral development, and digital inclusion.
- Hosted side meetings with Chinese, Brazilian, and South African delegates, and secured new interest in Nigeria’s infrastructure and agriculture sectors.
The Real Danger: Undermining Nigeria’s Global Voice
Spreading lies to paint the President as diplomatically isolated serves no one—not even the opposition. It undermines Nigeria’s credibility, discourages investment, and weakens diplomatic leverage.
> “A nation’s enemies are not just at the borders—they are also in the hashtags that lie.”
— Dr. Ayo Odubela, Media and Information Warfare Expert
At a time when the government is navigating painful but necessary economic reforms, misinformation campaigns like this risk triggering public unrest, misdirecting citizen anger and destabilizing national unity.
Conclusion: Correcting the Narrative, Protecting the Nation
The BRICS Summit was a landmark diplomatic outing for Nigeria. President Tinubu was recognized, welcomed, and engaged—contrary to the viral propaganda. The attempt to turn Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s neutrality into betrayal is not only unfair—it is malicious, divisive, and unpatriotic.
As the nation moves forward with its reform agenda, it is critical that the truth is defended and falsehoods are confronted, especially when they threaten to erode Nigeria’s dignity before the global community.
HeadlineNews.News calls on security agencies and regulatory institutions to investigate the source and intent of these misinformation campaigns and take appropriate action to ensure the integrity of Nigeria’s information ecosystem.
✔ President Tinubu with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at BRICS Summit
✔ President Tinubu with President Lula and other BRICS leaders
✔ Screenshots disproving viral posts
COMMENTARY
“No, She Didn’t Snub Him: The Viral Lie About Tinubu and Okonjo-Iweala”
> Excerpt:
Falsehood travels faster than facts—but when truth arrives, it must be loud, clear, and unapologetic. The photo-op did happen. The narrative did not.
> Quote (Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala):
“The best contribution I can make to Nigeria is to carry its name with honour in the international system.”
— Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO DG
“Hashtag Sabotage: The Dangers of Politicizing Nigeria’s Global Standing”
> Excerpt:
Fake narratives that seek to undermine Nigeria’s global voice are not opposition—they are sabotage by social media.
> Quote (Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General):
“In an age of disinformation, the truth must be defended as fiercely as our values.”
> Comment:
Political competition ends where national dignity begins. There must be a red line.
“From Fact to Fiction: Opposition Propaganda About Tinubu at BRICS Exposed”
> Excerpt:
The world saw President Tinubu engaged with BRICS leaders. Opposition-aligned accounts saw only what suited their script. That’s not democracy—it’s deception.
> Quote (Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala):
“Let’s stop fighting each other and start fighting poverty and misinformation.”
> Comment:
Weaponizing a global summit against your president is not just bad politics—it’s anti-patriotic.
“Politics Must Have a Limit: Correcting the Lie Against Tinubu at BRICS”
> Excerpt:
There’s a time for politics and a time for patriotism. Lying about diplomatic events is neither opposition nor activism—it is a national disgrace.
> Quote (Barack Obama):
“You can disagree with a policy without demonizing a person or a country.”
> Comment:
Even in advanced democracies, disinformation targeting a sitting president during diplomatic engagements would trigger national outrage.
“False Flags and Filtered Photos: How Opposition Misinformation Backfires”
> Excerpt:
A doctored narrative won’t develop Nigeria. While the President builds bridges abroad, some are busy burning the truth at home.
> Quote (Kofi Annan):
“When information is manipulated, democracy is betrayed.”
> Comment:
The attempt to pit Okonjo-Iweala against Tinubu is proof that some would rather tear Nigeria down than see it succeed.
“In Rio, Nigeria Stood Tall—Despite the Noise at Home”
> Excerpt:
While the world welcomed President Tinubu to the BRICS Summit, opposition propagandists stayed behind to doctor photographs and invent betrayals.
> Quote (Paul Kagame):
“We are our own worst enemies when we destroy the progress we should be celebrating.”
> Comment:
Tinubu represented Nigeria. The world saw it. The lies must stop.
HeadlineNews.News Special Report.
