Political scientist and Senior Fellow at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, has said that the recent threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to take military action against Nigeria are politically motivated and not grounded in the country’s actual security realities.
Speaking on Arise News on Monday, the renowned scholar explained that Washington’s renewed hostility towards Abuja stems largely from geopolitical tensions—especially Nigeria’s deepening partnership with China—rather than verified evidence of religious persecution.
“It’s been coming for a very long time, and the Nigerian government has been aware of it,” Professor Ibrahim said. “Every year, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom comes to Nigeria to investigate petitions alleging the massacre of Christians. These petitions pile up because there’s never a clear response from the Nigerian government.”
Professor Ibrahim links Trump’s outburst to politics
He noted that successive Nigerian administrations have failed to engage Washington effectively on such reports, allowing the “Christian genocide” narrative to fester unchecked.
“At one point, we attended a congressional hearing in the U.S. where petitions about Christian genocide in Nigeria were submitted — and the Nigerian embassy wasn’t even represented,” he said. “So when these complaints pile up and Nigeria stays silent, they can be pulled out whenever the U.S. wants to show displeasure.”
Professor Ibrahim added that the timing of President Donald Trump’s recent remarks was “telling,” linking it to Nigeria’s growing economic alignment with China.
“Over the past year, Nigeria has signed huge deals with China — in industrial parks, ports, mineral exploitation, and rare earth resources,” he said.
“China is securing a foothold in areas the U.S. wants, and Washington is not happy. So, this is how they show their annoyance — by reviving old petitions and using them to frighten Nigeria into renegotiating on their terms.”
US data contradicts Trump
Professor Ibrahim pointed out that even U.S. government data contradicts President Trump’s claim that only Christians are being targeted in Nigeria’s violence.
“Even American numbers show the killings are indiscriminate,” he said.
“Over the years, 1,800 people have been killed in churches, but more than 2,000 have been killed in mosques. So, it’s not about the facts — it’s about political convenience.”
On the threat of military intervention, he dismissed it as empty rhetoric.
“I don’t believe there are any real plans for military intervention,” he said.
“How do you fight small militant groups on motorcycles in remote villages? The U.S. has never successfully defeated any guerrilla force in 50 years. They’re not putting boots on the ground again — they can bomb, yes, but it’s pointless.”
Turning to domestic policy, the CDD scholar urged the Nigerian government to rebuild trust and demonstrate moral leadership.
“Our government has a constitutional duty to provide security and welfare for its citizens,” he said.
“Since 2014, every administration has left the security situation worse than they found it. If we had been doing the right thing, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
He called on President Bola Tinubu to seize the moment to reform governance and reconnect with Nigerians.
