Amid pressure from the United States regarding alleged attacks on Christians, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu tagged the X handle (@realDonaldTrump) of US President Donald Trump in his 2025 Christmas goodwill message.
Nigeria was recently designated a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing reports of targeted violence against Christians by Islamist militants.
In addressing his commitment to religious freedom, Tinubu highlighted the role of his office in protecting all citizens regardless of faith.
He stated, “As your President, I remain committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect all people of different faiths from violence.”
He then reflected on the contributions of Christians to national development, emphasising their continued efforts in various sectors.
He said, “As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us also reflect on the many contributions that Christians in Nigeria, as followers of Christ, have made and continue to make toward the progress of our country.”
The President further acknowledged the social impact of Christian organisations and individuals who assist the vulnerable.
He said, “The love of Christ and the message of the Gospel have inspired many Christians to care for the vulnerable and less privileged in our society. We honour those who, following the example of Jesus, work tirelessly to promote peace, harmony, and tolerance in their communities.”
Tinubu also used the message to provide reassurance during challenging times, noting the importance of hope and faith. He added, “For those who bring hope and faith in the midst of despair, this season is a reminder that, despite daunting challenges, God is with us.”
He emphasised unity and inclusiveness in Nigeria’s diverse society, underlining constitutional protections for all citizens. In his words, “No one, regardless of ethnicity or belief, should be made to suffer for professing and practising his faith.
“The love for God and love for humanity is at the heart of all the great faiths. These shared values must continue to bind us together as one indivisible and resilient people of our blessed country.”
The recent classification of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by President Donald Trump’s administration represents one of the most significant diplomatic friction points between Abuja and Washington in recent years.
This designation, the U.S. government’s most severe tool for identifying religious freedom violators, is the result of a consistent campaign by American lawmakers and advocacy groups who argue that Nigeria is the site of an “unfolding genocide” against Christians.
The narrative of “Christian genocide” gained significant traction in Washington during Trump’s first term.
A pivotal moment occurred in April 2018, when President Trump hosted then-President Muhammadu Buhari at the White House. During a joint press conference, Trump directly addressed the “burning of churches” and the “killing of Christians,” warning that the U.S. would not tolerate the continued slaughter.
Behind the scenes, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a bipartisan federal body, had been recommending Nigeria for CPC status since 2009.
Lawmakers, particularly conservative Republicans like Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Chris Smith, amplified these calls. They argued that the violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt (often framed as farmer-herder clashes) was actually a coordinated campaign of ethnic and religious cleansing by Fulani militants, Boko Haram, and ISWAP.
The First CPC Designation
In December 2020, the Trump administration took the unprecedented step of officially designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. This placed Nigeria in the same category as North Korea, Iran, and China.
The U.S. State Department cited “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”
But just eleven months later, in November 2021, the Biden administration removed Nigeria from the list. This move was met with immediate and fierce backlash from USCIRF and U.S. lawmakers, who called the delisting “unexplainable” given that violence on the ground had actually intensified.
As of late 2025, the pressure reached a boiling point following Donald Trump’s return to the political forefront.
On October 31, 2025, Trump announced the reinstatement of Nigeria’s CPC designation.
Trump characterized the violence as an “existential threat” and a “mass slaughter” of Christians by “radical Islamists.”
In November 2025, Trump warned that if the Nigerian government failed to act, the U.S. would cut off all aid and even hinted at potential military action, describing a possible “fast, vicious, and sweet” response to wipe out terrorists.
The Nigerian government, under both the Buhari and now the Bola Tinubu administrations, has consistently and forcefully rejected these categorizations.
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