President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration is engaging the international community through diplomacy following remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened military action against terror groups in Nigeria over alleged mass killings of Christians.
Speaking at Thursday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja, Tinubu emphasized that his government would not succumb to panic but would remain focused on defeating terrorism and ensuring national security.
“We assure all of you that we will defeat terrorism in this country,” the President declared during the meeting, the first since July, shortly after swearing in two new ministers — Dr Bernard Doro and Dr Kingsley Udeh (SAN).
Tinubu said Nigeria remains on a steady growth path, with reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda yielding both domestic and international confidence.
“Despite political headwinds and public fears, we will continue to engage our partners,” he stated.
“The oversubscription of our $2.3 billion Eurobond by 400 percent is proof of global confidence. The task ahead is immense, but our resolve to move forward with unity and purpose remains strong.”
FG: No Panic Over Trump’s Remarks
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told journalists after the meeting that the Federal Government was calm and in full diplomatic engagement with Washington.
“There is no panic mode here. We are responding responsibly, steadily, and in the interest of our country,” Idris said.
“We have opened formal diplomatic channels with the U.S. and prefer dialogue to confrontation.”
He noted that while Nigeria faces real security challenges, the administration is tackling them decisively and constitutionally.
“Are there lives being lost? Yes. But is the government responding? Absolutely. Nigeria remains a plural society where freedom of religion is protected by law,” he added.
Northern Groups Reject U.S. Threats Over Sharia
Trump’s statements were followed by calls from some U.S. lawmakers and advocacy groups to ban Sharia law in Nigeria and sanction officials enforcing it. Senator Ted Cruz introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, proposing visa bans and asset freezes for such officials.
However, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) rejected the move, describing it as “an assault on Islam and Nigeria’s sovereignty.”
NEF spokesperson Prof. Abubakar Jiddere dismissed Trump’s threats as “arrogant and baseless,” arguing that insecurity affects both Christians and Muslims equally.
“There is no genocide in the North. The U.S. is merely uncomfortable with Nigeria’s growing ties to China,” Jiddere claimed.
CNG coordinator Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi added that Sharia “is not just law but identity” for northern states, warning that any attempt to abolish it would trigger public outrage.
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South-West Clerics Urge U.S. to Respect Nigeria’s Sovereignty
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland also advised the U.S. to avoid interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
In a communiqué signed by Grand Mufti Sheikh AbdulRasaq Ishola after a meeting in Ibadan, the clerics said:
“We urge world leaders, especially the U.S., to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and avoid hasty generalisations that could undermine peace.”
Evangelical Fellowship Calls for Security Action
The Nigeria Evangelical Fellowship (NEF) urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to disarm terrorists and ensure justice.
In a statement marking its 60th anniversary, the Fellowship said violence in Nigeria was not faith-based but driven by terrorism and poor governance.
“We reject foreign claims of Christian genocide,” the group said.
“Government must restore displaced communities and tackle root causes of insecurity such as poverty and unemployment.”
Civil Society Organisations Protest Trump’s Threat
Civil society groups under the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly, denouncing Trump’s comments as “reckless and destabilising.”
Convener Buna Isiak said:
“We are a sovereign nation, not Gaza. Such threats only harm investor confidence and national stability.”
Experts Call for Strategic Diplomacy
Former World Bank adviser Dr Mahmoud Alfa warned that Nigeria risks losing influence in global negotiations due to weak economic diplomacy.
He proposed a Political Economy Coordinating Unit in the Presidency to align foreign, security, and economic policy.
“Nigeria must negotiate like a nation that knows what it wants,” Alfa said, citing the Ajaokuta and Mambila deals as examples of poor negotiation outcomes.
Good Governance and Advocacy International DG Leonard Anyogo also called for a shift from politics to governance, urging leaders to focus on performance over elections.
China Reaffirms Support for Nigeria
China has reiterated its support for Nigeria’s sovereignty and anti-terrorism efforts.
Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai said Beijing would continue cooperating with Abuja to strengthen national stability.
“China firmly opposes interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs under the pretext of religion or human rights,” Dunhai said.
U.S. Congress Backs Trump’s Position
Meanwhile, 31 members of the U.S. Congress praised Trump’s move to label Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern over alleged Christian persecution.
Rep. Robert Aderholt described it as “a necessary step to end Christian genocide,” while House Whip Tom Emmer said,
“God bless President Trump for standing up for persecuted Christians.”
FG Overhauls Security Institutions Nationwide
Governor Peter Mbah, chairing the NEC committee on security training reform, revealed that President Tinubu ordered a nationwide overhaul of all police and paramilitary training facilities.
“The President recognises that we are at a security crossroads. Only a total transformation can secure our future,” Mbah said.
Governor Dapo Abiodun added that inspection teams had been divided into northern and southern zones to meet the President’s four-week deadline.
Military Chiefs Pledge Accountability and Civilian Protection
Air Chief Marshal Sunday Aneke vowed to prioritise civilian safety in Air Force operations.
“Preventing collateral damage will remain a defining hallmark of our professionalism,” he said.
Army Chief Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu also pledged better troop welfare and accountability during a visit to Maiduguri, while DSS regional directors met in Kaduna to enhance intelligence sharing across the North-West.
ECOWAS, Islamic Leaders Unite Against Terrorism
At a regional conference in Abuja, ECOWAS, traditional rulers, and Islamic scholars called for peaceful and educational approaches to counter terrorism.
Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II and AU Envoy Mohamed Chambas urged greater investment in Islamic education and community resilience.
