"Trump's Warning: US Actions in Africa Must Be Approved by Nigeria, Says Obasanjo"

Table of Contents

• Obasanjo's Statement
• Trump's Controversy
• Obasanjo and Carter
• Nigeria's Leadership Role

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo claims that during his administration, the late United States President Jimmy Carter could not take any action in Africa without his awareness.

Obasanjo made this remark on Monday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the Presidential Youth Mentorship Retreat (6.0) organized by the Youth Development Centre, a branch of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).

This statement comes amid the ongoing debate regarding President Donald Trump’s threat of military intervention in Nigeria.

It is important to note that between October 31 and November 1, Trump condemned the persistent killings targeting Christians in Nigeria, asserting America’s willingness to deploy its military to Nigeria if the federal government did not take action to halt the violence perpetrated by jihadist groups.

Trump’s remarks and threats have elicited mixed responses from both the federal government and various prominent Nigerian leaders and religious organizations.

In particular, the federal government dismissed Trump’s claims, emphasizing that the insecurity in the country affects all religious communities.

While Obasanjo did not directly address the current controversy, he subtly recalled how the U.S. under Carter held Nigeria in high regard.

Obasanjo and Carter, who passed away in December 2024, were known to be close friends.

Earlier this year, in January, Obasanjo held a memorial service in Abeokuta to honor Carter, where he delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late U.S. President, who died at the age of 100.

According to Obasanjo, since Nigeria's independence, the world, particularly America, viewed Nigeria as a leader in Africa, stating that the country lost this confidence at some point until the Murtala-Obasanjo military regime “restored it.”

Reflecting on the past, Obasanjo mentioned that during Carter's presidency, he would not take any action on African soil without notifying the Nigerian government while he was Head of State.

“They were not seeking permission from us, but they would inform us that ‘they are doing this,’” he noted.

“During my presidency and time as Head of State, three American presidents visited Nigeria. They gained nothing that they sought in Nigeria. What did they discover?”

“At independence, the world regarded Nigeria as an emerging giant. Shortly after independence, we lost that perception. When Murtala and I took office, we restored it,” he stated.