Veteran journalist, media and communications specialist and global affairs analyst, Mr. Paul Ejime, has regretted the recent condescending remarks against Nigeria by the United States President Donald Trump
Mr. Ejime noted that in global politics, Africa has often found itself under the Western lens for the wrong reasons— war, corruption, poverty, disease, conflict, or other vices.
Rarely does the continent feature as an equal partner in the global order, observed Ejime in article seen by This Dawn.
Thus, he regretted that when President Trump once again focused his attention on Nigeria, it followed a familiar, condescending pattern.
His recent remarks, made via his Truth Social account between October 31 and November 1, 2025, reignited controversy and raised fresh diplomatic tensions between Washington and Abuja.
Trump alleged that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria” and accused “radical Islamists” of mass killings of Christians.
He went further to declare that Nigeria was being designated a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” under U.S. religious freedom laws.
He also threatened to halt aid and even take military action against “Islamic terrorists.”
Find below a screenshot of one of the remarks Trump made via his Truth Social account:
Political and diplomatic weight of CPC
As evidenced above, though largely symbolic, the CPC designation carries political and diplomatic weight, as it signals Washington’s official disapproval of a country’s record on religious freedom.
The Nigerian government swiftly rejected Trump’s claims, describing them as exaggerated and misleading.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to defeating terrorism and upholding religious neutrality.
Speaking before a Federal Executive Council meeting on November 6, Tinubu pledged that Nigeria would continue to “engage the world diplomatically” and ensure the protection of all citizens regardless of faith.
His administration emphasized that terrorism in Nigeria affects both Muslims and Christians; and is driven more by criminal and political motives than by religion.
EU, AU, ECOWAS, others kick
In a show of solidarity, several international partners, including the European Union (EU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the African Union (AU), expressed support for Nigeria’s sovereignty and condemned Trump’s combative rhetoric.
Ambassador Gautier Mignot, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, stressed that violent attacks in Nigeria were not limited to any religious group.
“Our position is one of solidarity with Nigeria—solidarity with the victims, with the authorities working to protect citizens, and with the Nigerian people who desire peaceful coexistence,” he said.
The EU, he added, remains ready to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria in peace, security, and defence.
The AU similarly urged the U.S. to pursue “diplomatic dialogue, intelligence-sharing, and capacity-building” rather than military threats.
China and Russia also criticized the tone of Trump’s comments, calling instead for respect for international law and Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Age-old persecution of Christians
However, the debate over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria predates Trump’s intervention.
Some U.S. lawmakers and Christian advocacy groups have long accused Nigerian authorities of inaction.
Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Riley Moore have cited reports claiming that thousands of Christians were killed in 2025 and that more than 19,000 churches have been attacked since 2009.
Nigerian clerics such as Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi have testified before the U.S. Congress.
Bishop Anagbe described what they believe to be a “systematic agenda” to marginalize Christians in parts of the country.
The Nigerian government, however, has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated and factually inaccurate.
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris insisted that criminals and insurgents attack citizens indiscriminately, targeting both Christians and Muslims.
He cautioned that sensationalist reports and inaccurate data could embolden violent groups and undermine national unity.
Complex insecurity crisis
Beneath the politics and propaganda lies an uncomfortable truth: Nigeria is facing a deep and complex insecurity crisis.
The violence has persisted through successive administrations and is driven by multiple factors—poverty, unemployment, ethnic tension, weak governance, and the proliferation of arms.
These challenges demand not only stronger security responses but also social and economic reforms that address the root causes of extremism.
It is against these backdrops that Ejime noted that while Trump’s tone was typically abrasive, his comments — though unwelcome — should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerian leaders.
He urged the government to intensify its efforts to secure lives and property, one of its primary responsibiities.
He also urged it to uphold religious freedom, thereby rebuilding citizens’ trust in state institutions.
National sovereignty on the scale
Abuja should also strengthen partnerships with allies like the United States on counterterrorism, intelligence-sharing, and humanitarian support—without compromising national sovereignty.
Ultimately, as Ejime argues, the endless killings of Nigerians by fellow Nigerians or foreign insurgents are unacceptable.
The solution lies not in foreign threats or partisan blame games but in unity, reform, and responsible governance, he said.
Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination of any kind.
Upholding these values is essential for peace, stability, and national dignity, Ejime insisted.
He rounded off by noting that Trump’s rhetoric may be provocative, but that it has rekindled an urgent conversation.
He suggested the following:
- Nigeria must rise above division,
- act decisively against insecurity, and,
- reaffirm its place as a strong, secular, and sovereign nation that protects all its citizens equally.
