Social listening 10 December 25

Conflicting accounts and diplomatic unease over the Nigerian jet’s landing in Burkina Faso

The emergency landing of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft in Burkina Faso on December 8, 2025, sparked a diplomatic incident between Nigeria and a bloc of military-led Sahel states. A routine emergency landing by a Nigerian military plane escalated into a tense international dispute, revealing the deep political fractures in West Africa between the ECOWAS bloc and the new Alliance of Sahel States.

Nigeria and Burkina Faso shared differing accounts of what happened.

Nigeria reports the jet made a precautionary landing after takeoff from Lagos due to a technical fault. The Nigerian Air Force said the crew acted in accordance with standard international aviation safety protocols, which implies that permission was sought/granted. The aircraft landed in Bobo-Dioulasso, with plans to resume the mission to Portugal after repairs.

Burkina Faso and the Alliance of Sahel States countered that the jet made a forced landing after it entered Burkinabe airspace without prior authorisation. They declared the flight and landing an unauthorised and “unfriendly act”.

Behind the scenes, diplomatic sources suggest local Burkinabe authorities initially cooperated with the Nigerian crew. Still, a political counter-order from the military leadership later led to the detention, turning an aviation issue into a geopolitical one. This incident didn’t happen in a vacuum. It is deeply entangled in the region’s fractured politics:

• ECOWAS vs. The Sahel Alliance: Nigeria is a leading member of the West African bloc ECOWAS. Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, withdrew from ECOWAS in early 2024 to form the anti-Western Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Relations between the two blocs are severely strained.

• The Benin Connection: The incident occurred just one day after Nigeria deployed fighter jets and troops to help neighbouring Benin foil a military coup attempt. Burkina Faso borders Benin, and some analysts believe the AES saw Benin as a potential future member. Nigeria’s decisive role in crushing the coup likely angered the Sahel alliance.

• A Strategic Message: Diplomatic sources indicate Burkina Faso’s detention of the aircraft was a “political message” driven by frustrations with Nigeria and ECOWAS, rather than genuine aviation safety concerns. ✈️ Current Status and Next Steps

As of now:

• The 11 Nigerian military personnel have been released and have permission to fly back to Nigeria as of Tuesday.

• The status of the C-130 aircraft itself is less clear. While the NAF states plans are underway to resume its mission, other reports suggest the aircraft remains in Burkina Faso as diplomatic negotiations continue.

• High-level diplomatic talks are ongoing between Nigeria and Burkina Faso to secure the release of the aircraft.

2. First Lady Oluremi Tinubu versus Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State

During an event hosted by the Ooni of Ife, a moment between Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, drew significant public attention.

• What happened: Governor Adeleke was delivering a speech when he started to sing. First Lady Remi Tinubu stepped in, telling him to stop singing and complete his speech. She allowed him five minutes and warned she would switch off the microphone if he did not comply.

• The Viral Reaction: A video of this brief exchange spread rapidly, igniting a national debate on social media and in the press. The core of the controversy was whether the First Lady’s action was justified by protocol or was disrespectful to the Governor.

Different Perspectives in the Debate

Public opinion on the incident was divided, as reflected in online discussions.

Supporters viewed it as the First Lady appropriately ensuring the event adhered to its schedule and maintained formal decorum.

Critics saw it as a public slight, highlighting tensions or a display of power between political figures from different parties.

The matter of Governor Adeleke (slight or right call) tnded to drown out the main story about the title conferment.

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was honoured with the esteemed traditional title Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Sunday, 7 December 2025.

The ceremony took place at the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, as part of the celebrations marking the monarch’s 10th coronation anniversary.

Read also: Social Listening 5 December 2025

Significance of the Title

The title is one of the highest chieftaincy honours for women within the Yoruba (Oodua) cultural sphere, recognising leadership, influence, and contributions to society.

It carries deep historical significance, as Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, the wife of the revered Nigerian statesman Chief Obafemi Awolowo, previously held it.

Ceremony and Distinguished Attendees

The installation ceremony drew a large gathering of dignitaries, underscoring the event’s importance.

• Traditional Rulers: The Olu of Warri, the Sultan of Sokoto, and the Soun of Ogbomoso were present.

• Political Figures: Notable attendees included former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.

• Reactions: Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu congratulated the First Lady, describing the honour as a recognition of her lifelong service and commitment to national development and Yoruba cultural heritage.

Context of Other Honours

This title adds to several other traditional honours Senator Tinubu has received in 2025 from different regions of Nigeria, including Iya Oba of Ikorodu (Lagos), Ugosimba I of Enugu, and Sarauniyar Yaki (Gombe).

3. A World Trade Organisation Office in Aba?

Social media has been trending over the past week following the announcement of an imminent opening of a World Trade Organisation sub-office in Aba, Abia State. Some reports attribute this information to the DG, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Based on the available information, however, there is no official confirmation that WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has announced a World Trade Organisation office in Aba. While the topic is being reported, the WTO itself has not confirmed it.

There is nothing on the WTO website concerning it. The WTO’s official news feed, DG statement page, and DG biography contain no mention of an office in Aba, Nigeria.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala was recently reappointed for a second term, which underscores her active leadership but does not verify this specific report.

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is the only global international organisation dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.

Socio-Political

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