Tinubu to meet Trump as U.S. raises alarm over alleged attacks on Christians
The Presidency says President Bola Tinubu will meet U.S. President Donald Trump “in the coming days” to discuss recent U.S. allegations that Christians in Nigeria are being targeted in a campaign of violence. Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication, announced the planned talks in a post on X on Saturday.
Bwala said the meeting will concentrate on counterterrorism cooperation and “clarifying misconceptions about the nature of terrorist attacks in Nigeria.” He stressed that both leaders share an interest in combating insurgency and other forms of terrorism. “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,” Bwala wrote.
The announcement follows a series of high-profile U.S. comments. Republican Congressman Riley Moore recently accused Nigeria of “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” and called for the country to be redesignated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). On Friday, President Trump declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” saying Christianity faces an “existential threat” in the country and citing figures he described in his post. Trump also warned that the U.S. could suspend aid and suggested the Pentagon should prepare possible military options if the Nigerian government does not act.
Bwala pushed back on the binary framing of the violence, saying the forthcoming talks will address whether the terrorists target only Christians or all faiths. He described the planned meeting as an opportunity to resolve differences and deepen cooperation on global peace and security.
The Presidency did not immediately confirm whether the meeting will take place at the State House in Abuja or the White House in Washington, only saying it will happen “in the coming days.” The developments come amid heightened debate in the U.S. about how to respond to reports of violence and the Nigerian government’s efforts to tackle insurgency.
