By Paul Ejime
A Nigerian government delegation led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Bola Tinubu, met Congressman Riley Moore in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, 19 November, as part of efforts to counter the “Christian persecution and terrorism threats” raised by the American government.
President Donald Trump has re-designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and warned that American military action could follow if the Nigerian government failed to stop the “mass slaughter of Christians” in the country.
The Nigeria Religious Accountability Act, introduced by another American Senator, Ted Cruz, is also being debated by Congress, and has far-reaching implications, including sanctions against violators if passed.
“Today, I had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with senior members of the Nigerian government regarding the horrific violence and persecution Christians face and the ongoing threat terrorism poses across Nigeria,” a statement from Senator Moore’s office said after he met with the Nigerian delegation. “I made it crystal clear that the United States must see tangible steps to ensure that Christians are not subject to violence, persecution, displacement, and death simply for believing in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Moore was quoted as stating “that the United States stands ready to coordinate and cooperate with Nigeria, and that, as President Trump made abundantly clear, the United States will not tolerate continued violence against Christians or other forms of religious persecution,” adding: “President Trump does not make idle threats.”
“We stand ready to work cooperatively with the Nigerians to help their nation combat the terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militants against their population, specifically Christians in the Northeast and Middle Belt regions of Nigeria. The Nigerian government has the chance to strengthen and deepen its relationship with the United States. President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria. I urge Nigerians to work with us in cooperation and coordination on this critical issue,” the statement added.
Moore further promised to “continue monitoring new developments and pushing the Nigerian government to accept the open hand of cooperation to stop the ongoing persecution and violence against Christians and combat the threat terrorist groups pose to the Nigerian population.”
According to the statement, “Nigerian officials shared their government’s challenges and concerns regarding counter-terrorism, security assistance, protection of vulnerable communities, and ongoing issues involving violence across Nigeria.”
Nigerian government officials have generally denied “Christian genocide or targeted persecution” in the country, saying that Muslims and citizens of other faiths are also killed in the complex domestic religious and ethnic crises.
However, Nigeria has not had Ambassadors in foreign countries, including the U.S., for more than two years. The meeting of the government delegation from Abuja with Senator Moore is the first publicised official engagement since President Trump’s tweets in which he also called Nigeria a “disgraced country.”
Nigerian presidential aides had earlier hinted that President Tinubu could meet his American counterpart in Washington or at the G20 Summit in South Africa.
Such a meeting now appears far-fetched, with Trump barring American officials from attending the Summit and Tinubu also cancelling his plans to attend because of pressing domestic challenges.
The Nigerian leader has now skipped attendance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York twice since assuming office in 2023, while Nigeria’s annual Independence Anniversary Parade was shelved in October amid reports of a failed coup in Africa’s most populous nation, with an estimated 230 million people.
Still, beyond the rhetoric and media blitz, measured and structured diplomatic engagements remain the most effective pathway to resolving the current Nigerian-American row. These are two strategic partner countries that stand to maximise their gains through mutually calibrated cooperation.
The stakes are too high, and instead of focusing on getting even with Trump’s undiplomatic language, the onus is on Nigeria to stop the avoidable and unacceptable killings, kidnappings and displacements of its own citizens under whatever guise.
The Nigerian government delegation that met with Senator Moore included:
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (NSA), Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Chief Lateef Olasunkami Fagbemi, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation, Gen. Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence, and officials from the Nigerian Embassy in the U.S.
Paul Ejime is a Media/Communications Specialist and Global Affairs Analyst
