BREAKING: A state visit, a strenuous flight, and a visa

Last Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu hosted Germany’s President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

At 11:05 am, Tinubu stood ready as the bagpipers escorted Steinmeier’s motorcade into the Villa’s forecourt.

Encounters like these are full of protocols, which can sometimes be exhausting for the leaders involved.

A proper welcome? Absolutely! But a little more force could turn a hug into a constriction.

It’s said that during the 2013 G20 Summit in Russia, former US President Barack Obama was visibly fatigued by the overly formal and drawn-out protocols.

After enduring a series of photo ops and staged handshakes, he reportedly quipped to aides, “How many pictures do we need to take? We’ve done this three times already.”

Similarly, in a rare 2018 interview for the BBC documentary The Coronation, Queen Elizabeth II candidly reflected on the challenges of wearing the Imperial State Crown during her 1953 coronation.

She humorously remarked, “You can’t look down to read the speech—you have to take the speech up. Because if you did, your neck would break; it would fall off.”

That Wednesday morning, however, neither leader seemed uneasy. As Steinmeier stepped out of the SUV, he engaged Tinubu in light conversation. The two then walked towards the saluting dais.

After playing the national anthems—Germany’s first, then Nigeria’s—the guest was invited to inspect the guard of honour.

Standing there, President Tinubu likely assumed Steinmeier understood the cue.

However, the German president turned to his host, unsure of what to do next.

Tinubu, like an usher, motioned with both hands as if to say, “The floor is yours, bro!”

After the formalities, including a 21-gun salute and the inspection of the Guard of Honour by the Presidential Brigade of Guards, Tinubu led Steinmeier into his office for closed-door talks.

Just a week earlier, Tinubu had been a guest at De Tuynhuys in Cape Town for the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission.

While walking the red carpet with his host, President Cyril Ramaphosa, their small talk touched on Tinubu’s health and his “arduous” trip to Cape Town.

After exchanging several rounds of “good-to-see-you,” Ramaphosa asked, “You’re well?” Tinubu, almost shouting, replied, “I’m well!” Noting his visible exhaustion, he elaborated that an 11-hour flight from Paris to Cape Town had taken its toll.

“It’s been a strenuous flight journeying from…” Tinubu began, but Ramaphosa interjected, “Abuja?” Tinubu clarified, “No, not Abuja. I came from France.” Surprised, Ramaphosa said, “Oh, you came from France?” Tinubu confirmed, “Yes, that was 11 hours.” Ramaphosa, sympathising, remarked, “11 hours, long trip! Long, long trip.”

The small talk continued until both leaders were seated side by side to delve into business. This brief exchange offered a glimpse into the relationship between the two presidents.

Six months earlier, they had met in Johannesburg when Tinubu attended Ramaphosa’s inauguration ceremony.

At the time, rumours swirled about a supposed snub when Ramaphosa appeared to skip Tinubu in a general handshake.

Of all the odd tête-à-têtes in global politics, few surpass the infamous hot mic incident involving former US President Barack Obama and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

In November 2011, during the G20 summit in Cannes, a private conversation between the two leaders was accidentally transmitted to journalists due to live microphones.

Sarkozy reportedly said, “I can’t stand him anymore; he’s a liar,” referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Obama replied, “You’re fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day.”

Although journalists initially agreed not to report the comments as they were off the record, the story eventually leaked, sparking widespread debate about their candid views on Netanyahu.

While we may never know exactly what Tinubu and Ramaphosa think of each other, their public demeanour suggests a “brotherly” bond. One can only hope their citizens will come to view each other in the same way.

During the Bi-National Commission meeting, Ramaphosa announced that South Africa would “keenly” support the bid of Nigeria, “a valued sister country,” to join the G20 club of the world’s major economies. He made this announcement at the official launch of South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in Cape Town, just minutes before receiving President Tinubu.

In a move to “foster an easy business atmosphere for Nigerian nationals,” Ramaphosa also revealed that Nigerian tourists and businesspeople would be granted five-year multiple-entry visas. However, this decision sparked significant backlash in South Africa. Critics accused him of “selling” the country to Nigeria, with some even demanding his resignation.

A particularly contentious point was the provision allowing Nigerian businesspeople to apply for a visa using only a copy of their passport.

What transpired between the two Presidents or their officials remains unclear.

Still, the memory of Nigeria’s U-18 basketball players being denied visas for the AfroBasket Men’s U-18 competition in South Africa last September is likely a tough collective recollection. Although the permits were eventually granted, the initial denial marked a low point in bilateral relations.

I was in Johannesburg on a study visit during that period. While I wasn’t denied a visa, obtaining one was more arduous than Tinubu’s 11-hour flight from Paris.

Responding to the criticism over Ramaphosa’s visa announcement, the ANC’s National Secretary, Fikile Mbalula, defended the move, saying, “The ANC remains resolute in defending South Africa’s sovereignty, uplifting its people, and ensuring that our country is a home for all who respect its laws and contribute positively to its growth.”

Let’s hope Mbalula’s words translate into action, and that South Africa’s visa authorities align with this vision, fostering better relations between the two nations.