President Bola Tinubu’s government has faulted a travel advisory by the U.S. warning its citizens against visiting Nigeria over widespread insecurity, highlighting widespread gun violence in America.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, represented by his media aide, Alkazeem Abdulkadir, spoke at the Nigeria Reputation Management Group organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Abuja.

“There is a saying that if the lion does not learn how to write stories, the game will always glorify the hunter. I share this proverb with you because in 2024, about 47,000 people died from gun violence in America. Again, it is projected that in 2025, 45,000 people will die from gun violence in the same America,” Mr Tuggar said.

He added, “But because we have not articulated or replied to their travel advisory, we have empowered them to continue writing these things against us.”

Recalling how Nigeria reciprocated by writing a travel advisory against Australia and the UK, Mr Tuggar said, “A year ago, we wrote a travel advisory against Australia because they published one against us.”

“We also wrote a travel advisory against the UK because they published one against us. In the ministry, we call this self-flagellation, where we, as Nigerians, are very prone to laugh at ourselves.”

The minister said it is important to frame a national narrative with clarity, integrity, and patriotic purpose.

“As Nigeria repositions itself on the global stage under the visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu, your work becomes even more strategic. This is a time for media diplomacy to foster national unity, attract investment, strengthen bilateral relationships, and promote Nigeria as a capable voice in the global conversation,” Mr Tuggar said.

This followed a U.S. travel advisory warning citizens against visiting “Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping. Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping. Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs.”