By Erewunmi Peace

Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has disowned a viral social media post that allegedly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over Nigeria’s security challenges.

In a statement released on Saturday, Okonjo-Iweala described the circulating message as “fake and malicious,” clarifying that she did not author or endorse any statement targeting the Nigerian president.

The viral post, which has been widely shared across WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, accused Nigerian leaders of paying lip service to governance and failing to tackle insecurity effectively.

Reacting via her verified social media handle, Okonjo-Iweala warned the public to disregard the fabricated message, adding that legal action is being taken against those behind the false publication.

“Please note that the message circulating with my name on it is fake and malicious. It did not come from me. My team is taking legal steps to address this,” she stated.

The WTO chief has repeatedly urged Nigerians to verify information before sharing, stressing the need to combat misinformation and protect public figures from false representation.

This development comes amid ongoing public debate about the government’s handling of national security, with several prominent Nigerians becoming targets of fake news online.