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For almost two weeks now, the most talked about topic in the country is the designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”(CPC) by the President of the United States Donald Trump. The U.S. Secretary of State is responsible for designating a country, “Country of Particular Concern” at the instruction of the President. The CPC label is given by the U.S. government to nations believed to have “engaged in severe violations of religious freedom” under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. The designation is largely symbolic. But the U.S. Law states that governments must “take targeted responses to violations of religious freedom”.
A day after, November 1, Trump, in a follow-up social media post threatened military action and full cut off of aid to Nigeria if the federal government “continues to allow the killing of Christians” in the country. According to the Washington Post, one of America’s influential newspapers, Trump’s “guns-a-blazing” threat to Nigeria caught many off guard and generated immediate concern within the United States’ Africa Command(AFRICOM) which directs America’s military operations across the continent. The paper wondered how President Trump came to see the fate of Christians in West Africa, especially Nigeria, as a national security priority – seemingly out of the blue, saying it illustrates the unusual ways the information travels in Trump’s Washington, that sometimes allow interest groups and individuals to rapidly shape major policy decisions.
But that is what it is – Trump’s style of leadership. People familiar with Trump’s attention-grabbing style of leadership say the designation of Nigeria as CPC was the result of months-long pressure campaign on behalf of Nigerian Christians, led by Sen.Ted Cruz(R-Texas) and American evangelical leaders. According to Washington Post, the action is said to have surprised even those who have been pushing the issue against Nigeria. Make no mistake about the CPC tag. Though the federal government had struggled for a coherent response until last week when President Tinubu denied the claims by Trump administration, and promised a tougher action against terrorism, few things have rattled the Tinubu administration as what Trump has done. The CPC classification is one of the signs of a broader discontent of the Trump administration with Nigeria, especially the present government.
If you are not aware, Trump is said to have been boiling mad about the way the current administration in Nigeria has been handling affairs, especially as it relates to the treatment of Christians. Therefore, the CPC label is a flashing warning sign of what lies ahead. The message is simple: As long as the Tinubu government continues to glance over the truth as it relates to insecurity and terrorist attacks against Christians, so long will pressure intensify on the present administration. For Tinubu, it’s a rude awakening. It wouldn’t have come at a more politically fraught moment, particularly now that the country is grappling with economic hardship, marked by soaring inflation, cost of living, a struggling currency, widespread poverty, and rising insecurity. This is despite government reforms that have yielded little dividends. Coming close to 2027 election adds more to the challenges confronting the country. With the CPC designation, Trump administration is questioning Tinubu’s ability to protect the citizens from religiously motivated violence. Sen. Cruz seems to have provided him with the ‘guns-a-blazing’ fatigues he needs. Those who think Trump’s threat is one of his usual ‘fake news’ narratives, the message is this: Don’t poke the bear. I understand that those who are underrating Trump’s resolve are trying to be good citizens when their country, and fellow citizens are going through horrible things. The guns-a-blazing threat is not a joke. It may happen unless Tinubu makes amends. For now, his focus is on 2027. Nothing else seems to matter, while the citizens are dying every day in the hands of terrorists.
That’s Cruz’s script that Trump is acting on. Cruz has also threatened to name and shame the sponsors of the alleged christian genocide if killings continue. It will be interesting if he makes good his promise. Make no mistake about it: Nigeria is suffering from complex security crises, but the Trump administration is eager to paint them as purely religious. Recall, before Trump threat, Sen Cruz had tabled a motion of urgent importance before the U.S. Senate, accusing the Nigerian government of “enabling a massacre against Christians”. He cited rising number of attacks against the Christian community across Nigeria. He also claimed that “50,000 Christians have been killed since 2009, with 2,000 schools and 18,000 churches destroyed” by those he called “Islamist armed groups”. He did not cite sources of his information. But Amnesty International in Nigeria has alleged that over 10,000 have been killed and hundreds kidnapped, most of them christians since the present administration came to power in May 2023.
Over 3 million people are said to have being displaced by violence. It must be said that these killings preceded the present administration, but they are now increasing at frightening proportions. How true are these claims? They may have been somewhat exaggerated, but those who should know like former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, told Sunday Punch(Nov 9) that, “it is not a claim, but the reality on ground”. He added, “many christian communities have been deliberately levelled, and the people who levelled those communities are now occupying their land – in Plateau and Benue states, including southern Kaduna”. This year alone, hundred of people have been reported killed in Plateau and Benue, with Yelwata, a largely christian community in Benue, accounting for about 200 deaths, and were buried in mass graves. These are inexcusable security failure of past and present administrations.
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Last year, the Global Terrorism Index ranked Nigeria 8th on a list of countries affected by terrorism. Data compiled by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law(Inter society) indicates that more than 8,000 christians were killed in Nigeria between January 2021 and July 2024, with Plateau state accounting for a significant proportion. Also, Open Doors’ World Watch List placed Nigeria at No.6 globally for christian persecution, citing attacks by Islamist extremist groups, armed herdsmen, and other non-state actors. Besides, Advocacy groups reported that between January and June 2025, more than 450 christians were killed in Plateau state alone. In Gwom, for instance, residents described the attack as “swift and overwhelming”. They couldn’t stand gunshots blazing from different directions.
All of these incidents are indices of a ‘failed state’. That may have quickened Trump’s threat. It has strained relationship with the U.S. Until now, Nigeria-U.S relationship was that of pragmatic partnership. For decades, U.S. had been Nigeria’s largest foreign investor, with U.S investments concentrated in oil and gas wholesale trade and services. In 2024, bilateral trade surpassed US$13bn. Nigeria ranks among the top African markets for U.S exports. Washington also provides strategic security support for Nigeria, including military training, counterterrorism assistance and limited arms sales to help confront Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province(ISWAP), while also addressing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. On the other hand, Nigeria has been a long time strategic partner for U.S. interests in West Africa.
All of that may soon change with the CPC designation of Nigeria. In less than a week, Nigerian Stock Exchange has lost N2.8trn as a result of Trump’s threat. Tinubu’s relationship with Trump may not be what it’s supposed to be. It’s anything but friendly. Diplomats are quick to point out that since he was sworn in as Nigeria’s President, Tinubu has not travelled to Washington for reasons best known to him. He has also allowed diplomatic vacuum to fester, having recalled all Nigerian ambassadors worldwide in September 2023. He is yet to appoint permanent replacements. Tinubu was also conspicuously absent from Trump’s meeting in July with West African leaders. Different interpretations have been given for all of this. Trump being a man who does not forgive a grudge may have seen an opening with the CPC tar on Nigeria. Put together, Nigeria may be at a crossroads right now.
I have this sneaky feeling that Trump is on ‘assignment’, using the CPC label as a smokescreen. He is keenly watching Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of 2027 elections. The recent statement attributed to the Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth speaks volumes of Trump’s mindset about the Tinubu government. Writing in his verified X handle, Hegseth said, “in Nigeria, we are witnessing one of the greatest crimes against humanity in modern history, and it has been deliberately hidden, and explained away by those who lack the courage… In 2025 alone, we are averaging 32 christian deaths per day, more than 19,000 churches have been destroyed, that’s three churches per day”.
These are the real, serious issues. Tinubu government should do all that’s possible to tackle terrorism decisively. Just two days ago, the United Kingdom issued an advisory to its citizens in Nigeria to avoid some states. That’s how serious the issue of insecurity has become. Last week, president Tinubu had a close door meeting with the Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar. The meeting was aimed at promoting religious harmony and strengthen interfaith understanding and advancing national unity. Those words should be matched with concrete action. One thing is clear: Tinubu, like his predecessor in office, Muhammadu Buhari, hasn’t mustered the political will to rein in terrorists. If Trump’s threat will be a wake-up call for Tinubu, that will be good for Nigeria. Playing the ostrich will not help.
