Anger in Nigeria Over Trump’s Threats

  Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Kano, northern Nigeria, over the weekend to denounce U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of military intervention over what many see as baseless claims of Christian persecution. On November 1, Trump declared that he had ordered the Pentagon to prepare options for possible action against Nigeria, accusing the government of allowing a “genocide of Christians.”

A Strong Nigerian Response

In Kano, demonstrators from civil society organizations carried placards reading: “We condemn Trump’s threat to attack Nigeria,” “There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria,” and “America wants to control our resources,” according to The Nigerian Guardian. Protesters warned that Trump’s rhetoric could inflame religious tensions in a country already grappling with serious security challenges.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the genocide allegations, stating that “killings in Nigeria are not restricted to Christians alone.” Extremist groups, it emphasized, target all faiths, not just Christians, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Dangerous and Misleading Statements

President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed that religious tolerance is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s national identity. Meanwhile, Information Minister Mohammed Idris described Trump’s remarks as “misleading and dangerous,” according to Nigeria News and The Guardian Nigeria.

Legal experts also weighed in. Senior Advocate Olakunle Edun called Trump’s threat “a violation of international law” and urged the Nigerian government to demonstrate that “every life matters—Christian, Muslim, or otherwise,” as cited by Vanguard News.

American Reactions

In the United States, Trump’s comments sparked fierce debate. While some far-right groups praised his stance as a defense of Christianity, others—including foreign policy analysts and human rights advocates—warned against “militarizing human rights.” Critics argued that Trump’s portrayal of Nigeria as a failed state ignores the complex realities of its internal challenges.

False Claims and Hidden Agendas

Leaked lobbying disclosures revealed that Moran Global Strategies, a U.S.-based firm, had been advising congressional staff on alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria. This raised concerns about the influence of anti-Muslim lobbying networks on American foreign policy, according to New Telegraph.

Tensions between the U.S. and Nigeria have also been exacerbated by Nigeria’s refusal to accept deportees expelled under Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown. In 2025, Trump’s administration expanded its enforcement policies, targeting over 1.4 million non-citizens with final removal orders. Among them, approximately 3,690 Nigerians were identified for deportation.

However, Nigeria’s government expressed reluctance to accept mass deportations, citing procedural concerns and lack of formal notification. Reports suggest that this refusal frustrated Washington, especially given Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which relies on swift compliance from foreign governments.

A classified memo from the U.S. State Department, signed by Secretary Marco Rubio, outlined potential consequences for non-cooperative countries, including visa restrictions and travel bans. Nigeria was initially listed among 36 countries facing such penalties, though it was later excluded from the final draft.

Analysts believe Trump’s aggressive posture—including threats to cut aid and consider military action—may be rooted in Nigeria’s resistance to his demands.

Global Concern

China, Russia, and the African Union have all voiced opposition to any foreign military action in Nigeria, urging dialogue and respect for sovereignty. Pastor Enoch Adeboye, a prominent Christian leader in Nigeria, called for “diplomatic engagement, not confrontation,” warning that escalation could bring “untold hardship to innocent Nigerians,” according to Nigeria News and The Guardian Nigeria.

As tensions rise, many Nigerians fear that external mischaracterizations of their internal crises could deepen divisions and further destabilize the region.