President Bola Tinubu will meet with the President of the United States, Donald Trump in the coming days to discuss claims of Christian genocide in the country.
Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in the wake of comments by Donald Trump which accused the Nigerian government of ignoring attacks on the Christian sect.
According to Bwala, the misconception about the nature of terrorist attacks in Nigeria which needs clarification, as well as issues of counterterrorism cooperation would form the focus of the meeting.
In a post on X, Bwala said: “President Trump has assisted Nigeria a lot by authorising the sale of arms, and President Tinubu has adequately utilised that opportunity in the fight against terrorism, with massive results to show for it.
"As for the differences as to whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or in fact all faiths and no faiths, the differences if they exist would be discussed and resolved by the two leaders when they meet in the coming days, either in State House or White House."
On Saturday, President Trump publicly threatened to order military strikes in Nigeria in response to what he described as “horrible atrocities” against Christians.
He also announced an immediate cessation of U.S. aid to Nigeria.
In a post on the social media site Truth Social that he had instructed the newly renamed Department of War to “prepare for possible action” in Nigeria.
“If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!” he wrote.
He further declared that “the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria” if the Nigerian government “continues to allow the killing of Christians.”
Trump’s move comes after he announced that Nigeria would be designated a “Country of Particular Concern” under U.S. law for systematic religious‑freedom violations.
U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, in a subsequent post responded to Trump’s directive with a terse “Yes sir,” adding on social media: “Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
The Nigerian government, led by Bola Tinubu, had rejected the characterization of Nigeria as failing to protect religious minorities.
In a statement, President Tinubu said the depiction of Nigeria as “religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality” and stressed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding freedom of religion and belief for all Nigerians.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that “the Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to defend all citizens, irrespective of race, creed, or religion. Like America, Nigeria has no option but to celebrate the diversity that is our greatest strength.”
Bwala in Saturday's statement maintains that both leaders share a strong commitment to tackling insurgency and terrorism, and also strengthening cooperation in global peace and security.
“Both President @officialABAT and President @realDonaldTrump have shared interests in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity,” Bwala wrote.
