By Dr. Michael Omoruyi | iNewsAfrica
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A diplomatic storm is brewing between the United States and Nigeria following President Donald Trump’s strong warning to the Tinubu administration over what he described as “systematic persecution and killings of Christians” in parts of Nigeria.
Speaking at a White House press briefing on Thursday, President Trump said his administration is “deeply concerned” about the safety of Christians in Nigeria, alleging that “radical Islamist groups are targeting innocent worshippers and the Nigerian government is not doing enough to protect them.”
“Thousands of Christians have been killed. Churches are being burned, families displaced. The world cannot stay silent while Christianity faces an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump said.
The U.S. president announced that Nigeria will be re-listed as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act — a designation that could trigger sanctions or restrict certain forms of foreign aid. He also hinted at “possible security measures” if the violence persists, saying his administration “will act to protect freedom of faith anywhere it is under siege.”
Tinubu Responds: ‘Nigeria Will Not Be Lectured on Faith Tolerance’
In Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu swiftly rejected Trump’s assertions, calling them “unfortunate, inaccurate, and not reflective of Nigeria’s realities.”
In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Tinubu reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a secular state with deep respect for all religions.
“Nigeria will not be lectured on religious tolerance,” the statement read. “Our constitution guarantees freedom of worship, and millions of Muslims and Christians live side by side peacefully. The challenges we face are rooted in insecurity and extremism, not faith discrimination.”
Tinubu further cautioned against “external misrepresentation” of Nigeria’s complex internal security problems, saying such rhetoric could “fuel unnecessary divisions and harm bilateral relations.”
Background: A Longstanding Issue
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is almost evenly split between Muslims in the north and Christians in the south. For years, the country has struggled with extremist violence from Boko Haram and Islamic State affiliates in the northeast, as well as recurring farmer-herder conflicts in the central region.
International human rights groups have documented attacks on churches and Christian communities, though many analysts say the violence often has more to do with land disputes, banditry, and poor governance than religion alone.
Trump’s latest comments revive a long-running debate in U.S. foreign policy circles about how Washington should respond to religious-freedom concerns in Nigeria, a key American ally in West Africa.
Mixed Global Reactions
The White House statement drew applause from conservative Christian groups in the U.S., who have long accused Nigerian authorities of downplaying Christian persecution.
However, African diplomats and policy experts warned that Trump’s framing risks oversimplifying a deeply complex crisis.
“Labeling Nigeria as a persecutor of Christians ignores the broader reality,” said Dr. Ifeoma Nwosu, a political analyst based in Abuja. “The violence affects all communities — Muslim, Christian, and others. It’s driven by insecurity and weak governance, not an official religious agenda.”
Diplomatic Implications
The dispute could complicate U.S.–Nigeria relations at a time when both countries are collaborating on counterterrorism, trade, and energy projects. Nigerian officials have sought to reassure Washington of the government’s commitment to protecting all citizens, while emphasizing that foreign intervention must respect national sovereignty.
As tensions simmer, observers say dialogue and factual engagement — not public confrontation — will determine whether the crisis escalates or cools.
Reporting by Dr. Michael Omoruyi | iNewsAfrica News Bureau
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