ABUJA: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former United States President Donald Trump are reportedly set to meet soon to discuss the growing controversy over alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria.
The development was confirmed by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Policy Communication, who revealed that the meeting between the two leaders will take place in the coming days.
According to Bwala, the agenda of the meeting will center on Trump’s recent statement accusing the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to attacks on Christians a claim that has sparked outrage, debate, and mixed reactions across the country.
Speaking to journalists, Bwala emphasized that both President Tinubu and President Trump share a common interest in strengthening the global fight against terrorism, insurgency, and all forms of religious extremism.
Both President Bola Tinubu and President Donald Trump have a shared interest in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity, he said.
He added that the Nigerian government appreciates Trump’s previous support, particularly during his time as U.S. President, when he approved the sale of advanced weaponry to Nigeria to aid its counter-terrorism campaign.
President Trump has assisted Nigeria a lot by authorizing the sale of arms to the country, and President Tinubu has effectively utilized that opportunity in the fight against terrorism and we now have massive results to show for it, Bwala stated.
Bwala disclosed that the proposed summit could take place either at the State House in Abuja or the White House in Washington, depending on the schedules of both leaders.
As for the differences as to whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or, in fact, people of all faiths, those issues will be discussed and resolved by both leaders when they meet in the coming days, he said.
The planned meeting comes just days after President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged Christian persecution, reigniting an international conversation about religious freedom and government responsibility.
Trump’s administration had previously placed Nigeria on a religious freedom watch list in 2020 a designation that was later removed by President Joe Biden’s government. However, Trump’s recent remarks have brought the issue back into global focus.
In a speech delivered last week, Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to stop what he called systematic attacks on Christian communities in the country’s northern and central regions, describing the situation as a form of genocide.
His statement triggered sharp reactions from Nigerian officials. Presidential aides, including Bwala and Bayo Onanuga, dismissed Trump’s claims as misleading and exaggerated, insisting that the government remains committed to protecting citizens of all faiths.
Bwala insisted that Nigeria’s security forces have made significant progress in combating terrorism under President Tinubu’s leadership.
He noted that the president’s policies have focused on addressing the root causes of insecurity and improving coordination between the military, intelligence, and local communities.
“President Tinubu has prioritized national security and peace-building. The progress we’ve made in the fight against insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping is evident across different regions.
The upcoming meeting with President Trump will provide an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation in this regard, Bwala said.
The news of the proposed Tinubu-Trump meeting has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians.
While some citizens and religious leaders welcomed the idea, describing it as a step toward international accountability, others dismissed it as political theatre aimed at damage control following Trump’s controversial comments.
Social media platforms have been flooded with comments from Nigerians expressing skepticism over whether the meeting will take place or whether it would lead to any tangible outcome.
A few opposition voices also accused the presidency of using Trump’s remarks to distract the public from pressing domestic issues like inflation, insecurity, and youth unemployment.
If confirmed, the Tinubu-Trump meeting would mark the first official engagement between both leaders since Tinubu assumed office in 2023.
Diplomatic analysts believe the discussion could influence future relations between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in areas of religious freedom, counter-terrorism, and foreign aid.
As of the time of reporting, neither the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria nor the White House has issued an official statement on the meeting.
