Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, has raised concerns over foreign influence in Nigeria's security landscape, particularly advising President Bola Tinubu to be cautious about interactions with the United States. He believes that such external engagements could obscure hidden motives that may worsen internal discord within the country. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the monarch highlighted the potential consequences stemming from the current escalation of banditry, suggesting that Western nations view Tinubu’s successes as a threat and may attempt to destabilize the nation through assistive measures masked as support.

The Oluwo pointed out that external interventions in Africa often carry ulterior motives that conflict with the continent's sovereignty and unity. In his opinion, the relationship between Nigeria and the Trump administration should be evaluated carefully, as there is the potential for political machinations that could serve to disunite the nation rather than support it. He cautioned that African nations must be vigilant about the actual intentions behind foreign interventions, particularly given the historical context of such involvements.

Ultimately, Oba Akanbi’s remarks underscore a growing sentiment among some African leaders that foreign assistance can often lead to more complications than solutions. His plea to the Tinubu administration is for a cautious approach that prioritizes Nigeria's national interests above foreign expectations, suggesting that internal matters should prefer local strategies over external pressures, reinforcing the message that African nations should prioritize self-determination and unity in the face of foreign attentions.