The Nigerian Federal Government (FG) has affirmed that President Bola Tinubu remains composed and focused on national security despite threats of military action from United States President, Donald Trump.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, conveyed the President’s stance following a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“Mr President is calm. He is looking at the whole situation; he is looking at the ways and means of ensuring that the international community understands what we have been doing,” Minister Idris said.
The Minister stressed that President Tinubu remains committed to making Nigeria safer for all citizens, regardless of tribe or religion. He cited the recent reorganization of the Nigerian Armed Forces hierarchy including the appointment of a new Chief of Defence Staff and other Service Chiefs—as evidence of the President’s “assiduous” work to rekindle the country’s security architecture.
Minister Idris strongly dismissed claims that the Nigerian government supports or favors violent attacks against any particular religion. These claims are central to President Trump’s threat, which was made after Nigeria was returned to the US list of “Countries of Particular Concern” for religious-freedom violations.
“For us to be characterized as a country that is not tolerant when it comes to religion, is not accurate. This is absolutely false,” Idris stated, noting that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees every citizen the right to practice their faith without “ledge or hinderance.” He argued that the ongoing security challenges are being driven by extremist elements whose desired outcome is the division of the country.
“We have these security challenges, but no where has there been any decision to favour one religion or the other, or to inflict violence over one religion. What has happened is that we have these extremists that are driving this narrative…”
Idris urged Nigerians to reflect on their nationhood and unity, cautioning that this “is not a time for division, it is not a time for rhetoric… it is a time for nation-building.” He added that the government will continue to engage religious leaders as important stakeholders in the Nigerian project.
Trump publicly stated he ordered the Pentagon to map out a possible plan of attack in Nigeria one day after warning that Christianity was “facing an existential threat” in the country. He warned that if the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S. will immediately stop all aid and may “go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing.'”
In response to the threat, Minister Idris confirmed that the government has “opened channels of communication” with the international community, including regional and continental bodies, to better explain Nigeria’s efforts and allay concerns.
The threat has sparked significant international reactions: China firmly declared its support for the Nigerian government, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stating that Beijing “firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force.”
In the US Congress, Democratic Representatives Gregory W. Meeks and Sara Jacobs condemned Trump’s threat, calling it “incredibly irresponsible” and a “reckless response to distorted facts.”
They argued that violence is often driven by resource scarcity and land competition, not religion alone.
