The Federal Government has opened diplomatic discussions with the United States following President Donald Trump’s controversial military threat against Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians.
Trump had earlier disclosed that he directed the Pentagon to prepare possible military action against Nigeria, accusing the government of failing to stop the alleged genocide, a statement the Federal Government has rejected, describing it as misleading.
It maintained that the nation’s security challenges affect citizens of all faiths, stressing that the violence stems from terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts, not religious persecution.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Tuesday confirmed that diplomatic engagement between both governments is ongoing, with channels of communication opened to provide clarity and foster mutual understanding.
“We are in talks with the U.S. government, and the conversations are constructive. They are beginning to understand the complexities of our security challenges,” Idris said.
In his interview on the Sky News programme The World With Yalda Hakim, the minister reiterated that Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees religious freedom and that the country remains a multi-faith nation with no tolerance for persecution based on religion.
“The Nigerian Constitution enshrines religious freedom; our country remains a multi-faith nation, with no room or tolerance for religious persecution,” he said.
“The security challenges we are facing, and which we have not shied away from acknowledging—are being tackled with boldness and decisiveness.”
He noted that much of the misinformation circulating in the U.S. stems from a lack of proper understanding of Nigeria’s diversity and the complexity of its security challenges.
The minister also alleged that certain U.S.-based lobbyists have been working with a proscribed terrorist organization in Nigeria to distort facts and mislead senior U.S. officials into taking positions that could harm bilateral relations.
“We are seeing a direct connection between U.S. lobbyists and a proscribed terrorist organization in Nigeria,” he stated. “They have set up this lobby in the U.S., contacting senior officials in the U.S. government for support.”
The Minister commended the United States for its historical support in Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations and called for renewed cooperation to jointly tackle terrorism and violent extremism.
“The United States government has always supported Nigeria in the fight against terror, and we are urging them to partner with us once again to help defeat terrorism and extremism,” Idris added.
He further urged the international community to understand Nigeria’s unique context and avoid simplistic narratives that ignore the country’s diversity and security complexities.
“The international community must understand the peculiarities of the Nigerian situation. We want the world to have a full understanding of the diversity and complexity of the situation,” he said.
Analysts have described Trump’s military threat as an unprecedented move that could strain long-standing U.S.–Nigeria relations.
However, experts say continued diplomatic dialogue remains the best path to resolving misunderstandings and strengthening cooperation between the two nations.
While a U.S. military intervention appears unlikely, the situation underscores growing diplomatic tension and highlights how human rights concerns and misinformation can quickly escalate into major international disputes.
