Nigeria has proposed a meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former U.S. President Donald Trump following Trump’s online threat of possible U.S. military action over alleged jihadist attacks on Nigerian Christians.
Trump, in a social media post, claimed Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria and said he had asked the Pentagon to prepare a potential attack plan if the violence continues.
Responding, Tinubu’s spokesman, Daniel Bwala, said Nigeria remains a U.S. partner in the fight against terrorism but emphasized that cooperation must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty. He downplayed Trump’s comments as his “unique communication style” aimed at prompting dialogue between the two leaders.
Bwala hinted that a meeting could soon take place, either in Abuja or Washington, to discuss security cooperation and clarify misunderstandings about the nature of Nigeria’s internal conflicts, which affect both Christians and Muslims.
Meanwhile, Trump’s comments came as the U.S. designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” over religious freedom issues — a move Nigeria disputes, insisting it is not religiously intolerant.
