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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged stronger security ties with the United States, hailing the US airstrike on Islamist militants in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day 2025 as “a blessing” that boosts the nation’s fight against terror.
Speaking to Fox News Digital during her early February 2026 visit to Washington, D.C., she emphasised Nigeria’s push for expanded US collaboration on intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism, and broader security measures to tackle insurgency, banditry, and kidnappings.
Excerpts from the Fox News interview, shared Sunday by her media aide Busola Kukoyi on her verified X, @KukoyiBusola, followed her participation in the 74th Annual National Prayer Breakfast, where US President Donald Trump spotlighted her among global guests and faith leaders.
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She tied the US action to Nigeria’s stepped-up domestic response, including a nationwide security emergency declaration, recruitment of 50,000 new police officers, and redeployment of over 11,000 personnel to hotspots.
“America’s Christmas Day strike on Islamist militants in northwest Nigeria was a blessing,” she said. “The intervention of the US was quite a welcome development. Nigeria looks forward to greater collaboration with the United States on security issues, and we expect there will be more.”
Mrs. Tinubu also dismissed US concerns labeling Nigeria a “nation of particular concern” for religious freedom, insisting insecurity stems from terrorism and crime—not faith-based targeting—that impacts all Nigerians.
“The challenge is terrorism and criminality, not religion,” she said, highlighting protections for citizens of every belief.
