FACT-CHECK: Viral Letter Purporting to Be Nigeria’s Response to Liberia Over Ayodele Comments Found to Be False

MONROVIA, LIBERIA:   Kool FM Liberia has examined a document currently circulating on social media that claims to be an official response from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Government of Liberia regarding statements made by Nigerian cleric Primate Elijah Ayodele about President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

Following a review of available information and consultations with credible sources, Kool FM Liberia has found no evidence that the document originated from the Nigerian government. The letter appears to be fraudulent and should not be considered an authentic diplomatic communication.

The document, dated June 8, 2026, is purportedly signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and presented as a formal response to Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Hon. Sara Beysolow Nyanti.

According to the circulating letter, Nigeria allegedly acknowledged Liberia’s concerns over Ayodele’s remarks and emphasized that the cleric was acting in a personal capacity and not on behalf of the Nigerian government. The document further claims that Nigerian authorities were surprised that comments made by a private citizen had become the subject of diplomatic correspondence.

Findings from Kool FM Liberia’s Fact-Check

No Official Confirmation

As of June 8, 2026, no such letter has been published or acknowledged by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its official communication channels, including its website and verified social media platforms.

Questions About Authenticity

Sources familiar with the matter have indicated that Nigerian authorities previously dismissed a similar document circulating online as inauthentic, raising additional concerns about the credibility of the current version.

Departure from Diplomatic Practice

Diplomatic exchanges between governments are generally handled through official channels and are rarely released publicly without proper authorization from the parties involved. The sudden appearance of the alleged correspondence on social media, without verification from either government, is inconsistent with normal diplomatic procedures.

Formatting and Language Concerns

A review of the document reveals several typographical and formatting irregularities that do not align with the standards typically associated with official correspondence from a foreign ministry.

The disputed letter began circulating shortly after the Embassy of Liberia in Abuja reportedly submitted a diplomatic communication expressing concern over Ayodele’s comments about President Boakai. Liberian officials argued that such statements could create misunderstandings among the public and potentially affect the longstanding friendly relationship between Liberia and Nigeria.

Kool FM Liberia advises the public to exercise caution and avoid sharing the document until an official statement is issued by either the Government of Liberia or the Government of Nigeria.

Liberia and Nigeria continue to maintain strong diplomatic relations and cooperation within the framework of ECOWAS and other regional initiatives.

Media institutions, bloggers, and social media users are encouraged to verify information before publication, especially on matters involving diplomacy and international relations. The circulation of unverified documents can contribute to misinformation and unnecessarily undermine public confidence.

For verified information and updates, citizens are encouraged to rely on official communications from the foreign ministries of both countries and other authorized government sources.

Kool FM Liberia will continue to monitor and report on developments surrounding this matter as more verified information becomes available.