Following the election of Pope Leo XIV, speculation has arisen regarding a potential visit to Nigeria. Fact-checkers have noted the Pope’s extensive history with the country, citing numerous previous trips to Nigeria to connect with the Augustinian order, to which he belongs.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu attended Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration on May 18, an invitation accepted by the Nigerian presidency.
During the inauguration, President Tinubu greeted the Pope, an interaction typically reserved for heads of state. Attention was also drawn to an interaction involving the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu, and Vatican protocol.
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Since assuming office, President Tinubu has made efforts to engage with various regions of Nigeria. His recent visit to Anambra State marked the first visit by a sitting president since 2012, signaling an attempt to improve relations with a state that has historically maintained a distance from the central government. The visit also took place in the home state of Peter Obi, a prominent political figure and Tinubu’s main opponent in the last elections.
Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, has also attracted public attention.
