Bola Ahmed Tinubu Responds Strongly After Donald Trump Labels Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ Over Christian Killings: “Your Data Is Misleading, Your Approach Is Disrespectful”

President Tinubu Claps Back at Trump’s “Country of Particular Concern” Remark: “Nigeria Will Not Be Lectured on Religious Harmony”

November 2, 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a strong and direct response to U.S. President Donald J. Trump following Trump’s fiery remarks labeling Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over what he described as the mass killing of Christians by radical Islamist groups.

In a statement released from the Presidential Villa on Sunday night, Tinubu described Trump’s comments as “ill-informed, exaggerated, and a blatant misrepresentation of Nigeria’s complex security reality.”

Trump, in a lengthy post earlier this week, claimed that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria” and that “thousands of Christians are being slaughtered” by “radical Islamists.” He further urged U.S. lawmakers, including Congressman Riley Moore and House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, to immediately “look into the matter” and report back to him, warning that the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria.”

But President Tinubu fired back, defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and religious balance.

“Nigeria will not be lectured by anyone on how to protect its citizens or manage its diversity,” Tinubu said. “Our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Christians and Muslims have lived together for centuries, and despite our security challenges, Nigeria remains committed to unity, coexistence, and mutual respect.”

The President condemned what he called “politically motivated exaggerations” of religious violence, warning that such rhetoric could deepen divisions and fuel unnecessary tension.

“Terrorism is not a religious issue. It is a criminal issue. Extremists target everyone — Christians, Muslims, and people of no faith alike. Nigeria’s government has taken decisive actions against all forms of terrorism, and our efforts continue with success across several regions,” Tinubu stated.

He also reminded the international community that Nigeria has suffered greatly from terrorism itself, with both churches and mosques attacked by extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP.

“To isolate the suffering of one group as though others do not suffer is unfair to the thousands of Muslim victims of the same terror,” Tinubu added. “We will not allow any foreign power to label or divide our people for political gain.”

The Presidency further urged the United States to engage Nigeria through diplomatic dialogue rather than what it called “unilateral moral judgments.”

Minister of Information Mohammed Idris also weighed in, saying Trump’s statement “distorts facts and ignores the progress Nigeria has made in counterterrorism and interfaith peacebuilding.”

“President Tinubu has worked tirelessly to rebuild trust across religious lines. His administration has invested in both security and social cohesion. Statements like Trump’s do not help—they undermine,” Idris said.

International observers have noted that while Nigeria continues to grapple with sporadic sectarian attacks, the government’s recent push for local reconciliation and joint Christian-Muslim community initiatives has shown measurable improvement.

Tinubu’s sharp response marks one of the most assertive rebukes from an African leader to a sitting U.S. president in recent years, underscoring Nigeria’s determination to assert its independence on global matters.

“We welcome partnership, not paternalism,” Tinubu concluded. “Nigeria is not a country of concern—it is a country of courage, faith, and resilience.”