President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reacted to recent comments by United States President Donald Trump, who labeled Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged persecution of Christians.
Tinubu dismissed the claim, insisting that Nigeria remains committed to protecting the rights of citizens of all faiths.
‘Nigeria Protects Citizens of All Faiths’ – Tinubu
In a statement posted on X, President Tinubu maintained that Nigeria stands as a democracy guided by constitutional guarantees of religious freedom.
He said, “Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty. Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.”
Tinubu rejected any portrayal of Nigeria as a country that promotes religious intolerance, stressing that such characterisations fail to reflect the nation’s reality or the government’s ongoing efforts to maintain peace and unity.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” he stated.
Trump’s Declaration Sparks Global Reactions
The controversy began when Trump, through a post on his Truth Social platform later shared by the White House on X accused Nigeria of failing to protect its Christian population.
He claimed that “thousands of Christians are being killed by radical Islamists,” calling the situation an “existential threat” to Christianity in the region.
Trump declared, “I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern,’” while urging U.S. lawmakers to investigate the situation and report back to him.
He also warned that the U.S. “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening,” adding that the American military may intervene “guns-blazing” if the alleged killings persist.
Tinubu’s Team Confirms Upcoming US Visit
Meanwhile, the Presidency has confirmed that President Tinubu will visit the United States on Tuesday for high-level diplomatic engagements with the U.S. government amid the growing controversy.
According to SaharaReporters, Trump has delegated his Vice President, James David Vance, to meet with Tinubu during the visit, barring any last-minute changes.
The visit is expected to focus on clarifying the allegations of religious persecution and strengthening cooperation between both countries on counterterrorism and global security.
Bwala: ‘Tinubu and Trump Share a Common Vision’
Daniel Bwala, Media Aide to President Tinubu, said both leaders share a common interest in fighting insurgency and terrorism.
“Both President @officialABAT and President @realDonaldTrump have shared interest in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity,” Bwala stated.
He noted that Trump’s previous administration had assisted Nigeria by authorising the sale of arms, which Tinubu’s government has effectively used to combat terrorism.
Bwala added that any perceived differences between both leaders over whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or all groups will be discussed and clarified during their meeting.
Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Religious Tolerance
Tinubu reaffirmed his government’s commitment to religious tolerance and freedom, saying these values remain core to Nigeria’s identity.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” he declared.
He further noted that his administration would continue working with the U.S. and other global partners to promote understanding and protect communities of all faiths.
“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths,” Tinubu added.