ABUJA: President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that his administration is engaging with global partners through diplomatic channels following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats of military action against terror groups in Nigeria.
The move came after Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to prevent the alleged mass killing of Christians.
Speaking at Thursday’s Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja—his first since July—Tinubu said the government was determined to eliminate terrorism and restore peace across all regions of the country.
We assure all Nigerians that we will defeat terrorism in this country,” Tinubu declared after swearing in two new ministers, Dr. Bernard Doro and Dr. Kingsley Udeh (SAN).
The President noted that Nigeria’s economy remains on a path of recovery, citing the oversubscription of the country’s $2.3bn Eurobond as a sign of global confidence. He emphasized that his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda will continue to promote stability and prosperity through sustained reforms and partnerships.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed suggestions that the Federal Government was alarmed by Trump’s statement, saying the situation was being handled through proper diplomatic engagement.
There is no panic mode here. We are responding responsibly and in the interest of our country,” Idris said.
He assured that Nigeria remains committed to protecting all citizens regardless of religion, adding that official talks with the U.S. have already commenced.
In response to growing calls from U.S. lawmakers and advocacy groups to sanction Nigeria and abolish Sharia law in the North, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) condemned the proposal, calling it a direct assault on Islam.
NEF spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, dismissed Trump’s threats as “empty and arrogant, arguing that violence in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims equally.
Similarly, CNG’s National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, warned that any attempt to suspend Sharia law in the 12 northern states would provoke massive public backlash, saying Sharia represents faith, culture, and identity.
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland also called on the U.S. to refrain from interfering in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
In a communiqué read by Grand Mufti Sheikh AbdulRasaq Ishola after a meeting in Ibadan, the clerics stated: We urge all world leaders, especially the U.S., to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and avoid external interference that could disrupt our peace efforts.
The Nigeria Evangelical Fellowship, marking its 60th Anniversary Summit, urged the Federal Government to disarm terrorists and restore peace nationwide. The group refuted claims of Christian genocide, saying Nigeria’s insecurity stems from terrorism and governance failures rather than religion.
In Lagos, civil society groups under the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda staged protests at the State Assembly, condemning Trump’s remarks as reckless and harmful to Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Convener Buna Isiak stated: We are a sovereign nation, not Gaza. Such rhetoric can harm investor confidence and worsen insecurity.
Former World Bank adviser, Dr. Mahmoud Alfa, warned that Nigeria risks losing influence in global negotiations due to poor foreign policy coordination. He called for the creation of a Political Economy Coordinating Unit in the Presidency to align economic, foreign, and security interests.
China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, restated Beijing’s opposition to foreign interference and pledged continued support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism and stability efforts. China firmly supports the Nigerian government in following a development path suited to its realities, Dunhai said.
Meanwhile, over 30 U.S. lawmakers applauded Trump’s decision to relist Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). They urged the White House to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials accused of enabling religious persecution.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer hailed Trump as a leader unafraid to defend Christians around the world.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who heads the NEC Committee on Security Training, revealed that the Federal Government has commenced a comprehensive renovation of all police and security training institutions.
The initiative, he said, is part of President Tinubu’s push to rebuild professionalism and restore integrity within security forces.
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, pledged that future operations will prioritize civilian safety and precision to prevent collateral damage.
Likewise, Army Chief Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu promised better welfare for troops and reforms in command appointments to strengthen accountability.
The Department of State Services (DSS) held a North-West security summit in Kaduna, while ECOWAS and Islamic leaders convened in Abuja to develop non-violent counterterrorism strategies.
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and ECOWAS President Omar Touray urged governments to strengthen Islamic education and youth engagement to combat radicalization
