The Federal Government has clarified that President Bola Tinubu will visit the United States and meet with President Donald Trump once the “situation is right” for such a trip.
This statement comes amid rising diplomatic tensions following Trump’s recent redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over allegations of mass killings of Christians in the West African nation.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Friday, that while President Tinubu has not yet scheduled a visit, he has previously traveled to the United States, including accompanying the Nigerian delegation to the United Nations upon assuming office.
The CPC designation drew sharp criticism from the Nigerian government, which has repeatedly rejected claims that Christians are being specifically targeted.
President Tinubu emphasised that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees protection for all citizens, regardless of faith.
Despite Trump’s explosive post threatening military action including “guns-a-blazing” intervention and the halting of U.S. aid if Nigeria failed to protect Christians, the Nigerian government insists that insecurity in the country affects both Christians and Muslims, and there is no state-sanctioned policy targeting any religious groups.
To address the rising diplomatic strain, the Nigerian government dispatched a high-powered delegation to the United States, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The delegation included top security and foreign affairs officials and is tasked with engaging U.S. authorities to clarify Nigeria’s stance and strengthen bilateral relations.
Minister Idris said the Federal Government was actively addressing security challenges at home while simultaneously maintaining dialogue with the U.S., ensuring that any future presidential visit occurs under the right circumstances.
The controversy has also reached Capitol Hill, where the U.S. Congress held hearings on the CPC designation, examining claims of religious persecution and Nigeria’s overall security situation.
Lawmakers and witnesses debated whether Nigeria has adequately addressed insecurity, including terrorist attacks, banditry, and kidnapping.
Recent incidents, including the abduction of students in Kebbi and Niger State, have further highlighted the country’s ongoing security struggles, though the Federal Government maintained that these attacks were part of broader criminal and terrorist activity, not targeted religious persecution.
The Nigerian government continues to emphasise diplomacy, intelligence-driven security operations, and ongoing dialogue with international partners as the path forward in addressing both domestic insecurity and international concerns over the CPC designation.
