The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially confirmed that diplomatic engagement with the United States remains ongoing following former President Donald Trump's recent threats of military intervention in the West African nation.
Diplomatic Channels Remain Open Amid Tensions
According to statements from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, communication channels between both countries have been established and are actively being used to clarify positions and reduce escalating tensions. The development comes after Trump's alarming statements that labeled Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" and threatened potential military action.
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris addressed the sensitive matter during an extensive interview on Sky News' The World With Yalda Hakim on November 11, 2025. He characterized the situation as complex and frequently misunderstood by international observers.
Nigeria Challenges Religious Persecution Narrative
Minister Idris strongly contested claims of religious persecution in Nigeria, stating that much of the information circulating internationally stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of Nigeria's diverse security landscape. He specifically pointed to connections between proscribed separatist groups within Nigeria and their lobbyists in the United States who he claims have actively worked to influence American authorities.
"We are talking to them, and I think they are understanding the situation better," Idris stated during the interview. "Most of the information is a result of a lack of proper understanding of the diversity and complexity of the problem we have at hand."
The Minister directly challenged the validity of data supporting religious intolerance allegations, asserting that such figures cannot withstand scientific scrutiny. He reaffirmed Nigeria's constitutional commitment to religious freedom, emphasizing that the nation remains a multi-faith society where all religions coexist.
Call for Continued Counterterrorism Cooperation
Despite the current diplomatic tensions, Idris highlighted Nigeria's continued need for international collaboration in combating terrorism. He specifically referenced past successful cooperation with the United States in addressing security challenges and called for renewed partnership.
"Yes, indeed, we have conflict in Nigeria, we have a security situation, but in the past the United States government has helped Nigerian authorities to deal with this situation," Idris explained. "We are calling on them to partner with us once again to help push this, and then we have peace once and for all in our country."
The Minister's comments follow Trump's declaration that accused the Tinubu administration of failing to protect Christian communities from violence attributed to Islamic extremist groups. The White House and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had issued warnings that military action could be considered unless the Nigerian government demonstrated decisive response to these security challenges.
President Bola Tinubu and other Nigerian officials have consistently dismissed these allegations as politically motivated and factually inaccurate. The government maintains that religious freedom remains a cornerstone of Nigeria's democracy and has condemned what it describes as deliberate misinformation campaigns aimed at undermining the country's security efforts.
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to resolving insecurity in Nigeria and across the Sahel and West African regions through dialogue, strategic partnerships, and ongoing security operations rather than through external military intervention.
