The Federal Government has explained why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not yet held a meeting with United States President Donald Trump, despite rising diplomatic tension between both countries. According to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, President Tinubu will visit the United States and meet with President Trump “once the situation is right for him.”
Idris made the statement on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. His comments come at a time when Nigeria’s relationship with the U.S. has grown tense following America’s recent decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged religious persecution and insecurity.
The Minister, who accompanied President Tinubu to the United Nations General Assembly shortly after the President assumed office in 2023, stressed that the Nigerian leader is not avoiding a meeting with Trump. Instead, he said, current diplomatic issues must be managed first.
“We believe that he will go [to the U.S.] once the situation is right for him to go. But he has been to America. I was with him at the UN when he took office,” Idris said.
Nigeria’s CPC redesignation has been at the heart of the ongoing diplomatic strain. President Trump cited what he described as the “mass slaughter of Christians” as the main reason for restoring Nigeria to the U.S. list of countries accused of severe violations of religious freedom. Nigeria was first placed on the list in 2020 under Trump’s previous administration but was removed in 2021 by President Joe Biden.
This time, however, the move has triggered a far more explosive diplomatic storm, especially as it was followed by a series of strong statements made by President Trump on his Truth Social platform. In one of the posts that quickly attracted global attention, the U.S. president accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities and warned of possible military intervention.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump wrote.
He further announced that he had instructed the U.S. “Department of War” to prepare for potential action, saying any strike would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
These comments, unprecedented in recent U.S.–Nigeria relations, have raised concerns across diplomatic circles and triggered widespread debate about foreign interference, sovereignty, and security.
In response, the Nigerian government strongly denied any targeted killing of Christians. President Tinubu insisted that Nigeria remains a secular nation with constitutional protections for citizens of all religions.
“Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths,” the President stated.
Government officials have repeatedly explained that Nigeria’s security challenges—ranging from terrorism and banditry to kidnapping—affect people of all backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities.
The Federal Government also stressed that it is working hard to tackle these problems. According to Minister Idris, the Tinubu administration has made progress in strengthening the security forces, improving intelligence operations, and coordinating efforts among various security agencies.
To prevent the situation from worsening, Nigeria has sent a high-level delegation to Washington, D.C. The team, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, includes top government officials and security experts. The visit aims to engage the U.S. government, address its concerns, and restore trust between both nations.
Idris described the mission as part of broader diplomatic efforts to protect Nigeria’s interests while keeping communication channels open.
The U.S. remains one of Nigeria’s major international partners, supporting programmes in security, health, education, and economic development. Any prolonged strain in relations could therefore have significant consequences for both countries.
Adding to the growing tension, the U.S. Congress held a public hearing on Thursday to discuss President Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a CPC. During the hearing, lawmakers examined reports on the state of religious freedom and insecurity in Nigeria.
For many Nigerians, the hearing revived concerns about how the international community views the country’s worsening security situation.
Nigeria has been battling multiple security threats for more than a decade. Boko Haram insurgents have carried out numerous attacks in the North-East, while bandit groups continue to terrorise communities in the North-West and North-Central regions. Kidnapping for ransom has also become widespread, affecting both rural and urban areas.
In the same week as the congressional hearing, armed groups abducted scores of students in Kebbi and Niger states—two incidents that further highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis.
Although Nigeria and the U.S. have enjoyed strong relations for decades, there have been moments of tension. In recent years, disputes over human rights, corruption concerns, and military aid restrictions have occasionally strained the partnership.
Nigeria relies heavily on international support to fight terrorism and maintain regional stability. The U.S. has provided training, equipment, and intelligence assistance. However, disagreements over how Nigeria handles security operations, especially in conflict-prone regions, have led to friction.
Trump’s latest comments represent one of the sharpest criticisms from a U.S. president toward Nigeria in recent history. Analysts say they also reflect heightened global attention on Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, especially as the country remains Africa’s most populous nation and one of the continent’s largest economies.
While Minister Idris insists that President Tinubu will eventually meet with Trump, the timing remains uncertain. For now, the Federal Government appears focused on calming tensions, correcting what it sees as misinformation, and reassuring both Nigerians and international partners that Nigeria is committed to protecting all citizens.
