5 Powerful People that Could Join Tinubu’s Network as President 

President-elect, Bola Tinubu’s formidable network of supporters and allies largely contributed to the success of his presidential bid. Some of these supporters have been rumoured to be part of ministers in his cabinet.

With his presidential inauguration ceremony just a few days ahead, Tinubu’s network could experience an uplift as world leaders are billed to join in. Let’s quickly explore five powerful people that could join Tinubu’s network as president, drawing on examples from around the world.

Emmanuel Macron 

President of France, Emmanuel Macron is one leader who could be a valuable addition to Tinubu’s network. According to Tinubu, Macron was one of the leaders who first congratulated him on his victory at the polls. As the leader of one of the world’s largest economies, Macron’s expertise in business and finance could also be a valuable asset in navigating Nigeria’s complex economic landscape.

Rishi Sunak 

UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak in a tweet congratulated Tinubu for his victory at the polls. He said, “The UK-Nigeria relationship remains strong. I look forward to working together to grow our security and trade ties, opening up opportunities for businesses and creating prosperity in both our countries.” 

Sunak, who served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the United Kingdom before becoming prime minister, could facilitate connections to the business world that could be useful in attracting investment to Nigeria.

Ned Price 

Ned Price, Spokesperson for the United States Department of State,  who has a background in journalism and foreign policy, has been a vocal critic of authoritarian regimes and a proponent of human rights. In his congratulatory message to Tinubu, Price noted that the election was a competitive one which represents a new period for Nigerian politics and democracy. 

Ned’s commitment to democracy could be seen as he counselled aggrieved political leaders to register their concerns through established legal mechanisms.

Xi Jinping 

President of China, Xi Jinping has a significant geopolitical influence, as the leader of the world’s most populous country. His experience in managing a complex and diverse society could be valuable in addressing some of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges. In his congratulatory letter addressed to Tinubu by Wu Baocai, Directing Officer of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Xi expressed readiness to work with Tinubu. 

He said, “I attached great importance to the development of China-Nigeria relations and stand ready to work with you to take the China-Nigeria Strategic Partnership to new heights. ” Also, he expressed his belief that Nigeria will continue to make new achievements in the cause of national building and development under Tinubu.

Volodymyr Zelensky 

President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky is could be another notable figure in Tinubu’s network. Known as the leader of the world’s major grain producers, Zelensky hailed Tinubu in a tweet stressing that Ukraine is “ready to work together to overcome global challenges, including threats to food security!”

Ukraine mainly grows and exports wheat, corn and barley and it is the world’s top producer of sunflower meal, oil, and seed. Zelensky who is managing a war-torn region was elected on an anti-corruption platform. 

ExxonMobil’s Rex Tillerson is also a significant figure who could join Tinubu’s network. Before joining politics Tinubu worked with Exxon Mobil. He once stated that he rejected the offer to become Director of Finance at Exxon Mobil because he wanted to serve Nigeria.

“I said I wanted to serve Nigeria. They gave me a leave of absence to go and do politics for four years and come back, but I only spent two years as a senator when the military came and terminated our tenure. I had an option, which was to go back and enjoy at ExxonMobil, but I decided that I would fight for Nigeria.

His potential relationship with Rex Tillerson could help the Nigerian Oil industry navigate complexities and attract foreign investment to the country.