Nigeria’s leadership failure, not Trump, behind religious freedom concerns – Scholar

The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Dr Sam Amadi, has described U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged religious persecution as a reflection of Nigeria’s failure to uphold its constitutional and moral obligations.

Speaking on Arise News on Sunday, Amadi explained that Trump’s move falls strictly within the United States’ domestic policy framework, specifically the International Religious Freedom Act of 1993, which authorised the U.S. government to identify and sanction countries that violate religious freedom.

“Trump is not exercising any United Nations power. He’s acting under American law, which prioritises religious freedom as part of their foreign policy.

”It’s America’s domestic prerogative just as Nigeria could decide to withhold aid from any country that violates good governance principles,” Amadi said.

While some may view the move as overreaching, Amadi argued that it is typical of powerful nations asserting influence.

“America is behaving as any superpower would. If China or Nigeria had America’s power, they would overreach too. It’s human nature and the politics of dominance,” he said.

The scholar however, stressed, that the core issue lies within Nigeria itself.

He pointed to the introduction of Sharia criminal law in northern states starting in 2000 as a turning point that undermined Nigeria’s secular character.

“We don’t need Trump to tell us that Nigeria has violated its constitutional principles.

”Since 2000, when Zamfara introduced Sharia criminal law, we have effectively created 12 Islamic republics within a secular state. That is unconstitutional and undemocratic,” Amadi said.

Recalling his own legal challenge against Sharia while practicing law, Amadi criticised the Nigerian state for allowing religion to influence governance.

“When you use state power to make Sharia criminal law or execute someone for blasphemy, you have violated the foundation of religious freedom under Section 10 of the Constitution.

”The state must remove itself from religion. Nigeria’s crisis is not about Trump—it’s about leadership failure,” he said.

Amadi also highlighted Nigeria’s dependence on foreign aid and weak governance as factors that have eroded national sovereignty, leaving the country vulnerable to external pressure.

“Many African states have become dependent on foreign support and therefore lose their voice.

”If you can’t protect your citizens, you trigger others’ right to intervene under the principle of the responsibility to protect,” he said.

Criticising Nigeria’s elite for politicising religion instead of safeguarding constitutional democracy, Amadi said, “Trump is simply exploiting a crisis caused by Nigerian leaders who prefer religion to the rights of citizens.

”We are now in danger of being hurt by our own foolishness.”

On the prospect of U.S. military intervention to protect persecuted Christians, Amadi dismissed the idea as “madness,” but stressed that addressing the root causes domestically was imperative.

“If you can’t save your citizens, you create the conditions for others to claim that right. The solution is simple protect your people,” he said.

Amadi called for urgent reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, restore national sovereignty, and ensure justice and equal protection for all faiths.