"Nigerian Government Explains Why Tinubu Hasn't Met with Trump Yet"

Table of Contents

• President's Visit to the US
• Diplomatic Tensions
• Trump's Comments
• Nigerian Government's Response
• Current Security Challenges

President Bola Tinubu is set to visit the United States and meet with President Donald Trump when the circumstances are favorable.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this announcement on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, amidst rising diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and the US following Trump's recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

“We believe he will travel to the US when the situation is appropriate. However, he has previously been to America. I accompanied him at the UN during his inauguration,” Mohammed stated on the current affairs program.

Diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the US have deteriorated after Trump reclassified the West African country as a CPC, citing what he described as the widespread killing of Christians.

Shortly thereafter, the US president threatened military intervention in Nigeria if the authorities fail to tackle the escalating insecurity.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to permit the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately cease all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well take military action to eradicate the Islamic terrorists committing these heinous acts,” Trump said in a provocative post on his Truth Social platform.

“I am instructing our Department of War to prepare for potential action. If we engage, it will be swift, fierce, and decisive.”

That statement from the US president garnered international attention, but the Nigerian government has refuted any claims of targeted killings of Christians.

“Nigeria is a nation with constitutional protections for citizens of all faiths,” President Tinubu responded following Trump's remarks.

The Nigerian government is currently in discussions with the US administration regarding this issue, with a high-level delegation, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, visiting the North American country.

According to him, this initiative is part of diplomatic efforts to engage the US government and reinforce relations between the two nations.

Idris noted that while the country is facing security issues, the Federal Government is actively working to address the situation.

On Thursday, the US Congress conducted a public hearing regarding Trump's CPC designation of Nigeria, further highlighting the insecurity in Africa’s most populous nation.

Nigeria is grappling with various security challenges, including banditry, terrorism, and kidnappings for ransom.

Just this week, armed individuals have kidnapped students in Kebbi and Niger states, both situated in Nigeria’s northern region, abducting numerous students.