Tinubu: Shuttle Diplomacy and the Power of Showing Up
By Yusuf Ahmed Baba
In recent weeks, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has embarked on a string of visits across Nigeria that feel like a quiet but strategic form of shuttle diplomacy.
From Kaduna to Imo, Lagos to Plateau, the President appears to be reintroducing himself to Nigerians — not just as Commander-in-Chief, but as a relatable leader and a national father figure.
These visits have taken many shapes — political, cultural, religious, and even deeply personal. Yet the message running through them is unmistakable: a renewed commitment to unity, inclusion, and the promise of One Nigeria.
Kaduna
On September 19, 2025, President Tinubu departed Abuja for Kaduna to commission key projects, including hospitals and road networks, reaffirming the Federal Government’s support for infrastructure in the North.
Beyond his official duties, he also paid a courtesy visit to Aisha Buhari, widow of former President Muhammadu Buhari, and attended the wedding of Nasirudeen Yari, son of Senator Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State.
Imo
In Imo State, the President arrived in Owerri on a working visit to commission several high-profile projects and engage directly with citizens, government officials, and civil society.
He commissioned new roads and flyovers, sending a message of inclusion to the Southeast — a region often marked by political tension. His words in Imo focused on peace, partnership, and national belonging.
Oyo
On September 26, 2025, President Tinubu attended the coronation of Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. He arrived in Ibadan alongside Governor Seyi Makinde and other dignitaries and witnessed the installation ceremony at Mapo Hall, where Governor Makinde presented the staff of office to the new monarch.
In his remarks, Tinubu declared that Nigeria’s economy had “turned the corner,” attributing this shift to his administration’s reforms. He thanked Nigerians for their patience, assuring them that the dividends of economic stabilization would soon begin to show.
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Lagos
After the coronation, the President proceeded to Lagos for a 10-day working visit that blended investment diplomacy, infrastructure commissioning, and national engagement. During the visit, he focused on the creative economy and urban infrastructure.
At the National Theatre, he inaugurated the newly renamed *Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts* — a symbolic nod to Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage and a statement of cultural renewal.
Plateau
Perhaps the most touching of all his visits was to Plateau State. In Jos, the President attended a church service, removing his cap as a mark of respect. He told the congregation that Nigeria’s religious diversity was not a threat, but a blessing — reminding them that his wife is a pastor.
His words and gestures resonated deeply in a state long scarred by ethno-religious conflict. Tinubu was in Plateau to attend the burial of the mother of the APC National Chairman, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, but his message went far beyond condolence — it was a call for healing.
The Power of Soft Engagement
These visits are more than political rituals. They form part of a deliberate strategy of soft engagement — aimed at calming tensions, reassuring marginalized regions, rebuilding trust, and reconnecting the presidency with everyday Nigerians.
Tinubu’s body language has shifted from distant technocrat to approachable elder statesman. His gestures — whether symbolic or spontaneous — convey empathy and understanding. In Plateau, his simple act of removing his cap in the church spoke more powerfully than any political speech.
This is political therapy in a country weary from insecurity, inflation, and leadership fatigue. It suggests that Tinubu understands governance is not only about policies and decrees, but also about presence — about being seen and felt.
Whether standing in a church in Jos, commissioning roads in Owerri, or bowing his head in respect in Kaduna, Tinubu seems determined to embody a unifying figure. His shuttle diplomacy is not just a change in tone; it may well signal a change in how leadership itself is performed in Nigeria.
