The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has strongly denied authoring a viral social media post that appeared to criticise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s handling of insecurity in Nigeria.
The post, which circulated widely on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, was titled “Trump didn’t ‘hit’ us our leaders did.” It falsely claimed that Okonjo-Iweala accused Nigerian leaders of being reactive rather than proactive in combating insecurity, and allegedly quoted her as urging President Tinubu to “stop the damage control speeches” and “secure the people.”
Reacting through her verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Okonjo-Iweala debunked the post as fake, malicious, and fraudulent, stressing that it did not originate from her. She also revealed that legal actions were being taken against the perpetrators of the impersonation.
“Beware! This story going around on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook is false! We are taking action! The person who did this could not even spell my name,” she wrote.
The WTO chief expressed outrage at the misuse of her name and reputation, warning cybercriminals and online scammers to desist from using public figures’ identities to push fake narratives.
“Whichever coward did this should write the message in their own name and not hide behind mine or anyone else’s! Scammers and 419ers, stop!” Okonjo-Iweala added, urging Nigerians to verify information before sharing it.
Her response comes amid growing online misinformation linked to the ongoing controversy over U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments on Nigeria, where he accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, alleged that Christians were being persecuted in Nigeria and threatened that the United States could “go in guns blazing” if the alleged killings continued.
The statement sparked widespread backlash, with many Nigerian leaders and international observers describing it as reckless and uninformed.
In a swift response, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, peace, and religious tolerance. Writing on his X handle, Tinubu maintained that Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and that his administration continues to work with faith leaders to promote unity and security across the country.
“Religious tolerance has been a core tenet of our national identity and shall always remain so,” Tinubu said. He further dismissed foreign narratives portraying Nigeria as a religiously intolerant nation, emphasizing that diversity and peaceful coexistence are integral to the country’s progress.
The Nigerian government also assured the international community of its readiness to partner with allies like the United States to combat terrorism and protect all communities regardless of faith.
Despite the clarifications, Trump doubled down on his stance during a press briefing, reiterating his willingness to “take direct action” if alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria persists.
“We cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening,” Trump said, calling on members of Congress including Riley Moore and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole to investigate the situation and report back to him.
Meanwhile, communication experts have urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against online misinformation, particularly fake posts attributed to prominent figures like Okonjo-Iweala. Analysts warn that such fabrications not only distort public discourse but also risk fueling diplomatic tensions and domestic unrest.
With this clarification, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala joins a growing list of global leaders calling for responsible digital conduct and truth-based reporting, urging both the public and the media to protect integrity in public communication.
