Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says President Bola Tinubu will visit the United States to meet President Donald Trump only “when the situation is right,” amid escalating diplomatic tension between Abuja and Washington.
The strain in relations deepened after President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged religious freedom violations — a move Nigeria has strongly rejected.
Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Idris dismissed suggestions that Tinubu was avoiding Washington, insisting the timing of the visit would depend on evolving circumstances.
“We believe that he will go once the situation is right for him to go,” he said. “But he has been to America. I was with him at the UN when he took office.”
Tensions After Trump’s Accusations
The diplomatic rift widened after Trump accused Nigeria of allowing the “mass slaughter of Christians,” a claim the Nigerian government firmly denies. The U.S. president also issued a controversial warning on his Truth Social platform, threatening to halt aid and consider military action if the Nigerian government failed to address insecurity.
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians… (the US) may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing’,” Trump wrote, adding that he had instructed the U.S. “Department of War” to prepare for possible action.
The remarks triggered outrage globally and prompted an official response from President Tinubu, who reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to protecting citizens of all faiths.
“Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths,” Tinubu said.
Nigeria Sends High-Level Delegation to Washington
In a bid to ease tensions, Nigeria has dispatched a high-powered delegation to the U.S., led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The team is expected to engage American officials, clarify Nigeria’s position, and counter allegations of religiously targeted violence.
Idris noted that diplomatic engagements are ongoing to strengthen Nigeria–U.S. relations.
“This is part of diplomatic efforts to engage the U.S. government and strengthen relations,” he said.
The tension comes as Nigeria battles worsening insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, and mass abductions. This week alone, gunmen kidnapped dozens of students in Kebbi and Niger States, highlighting the country’s security challenges.
The U.S. Congress also held a public hearing on Nigeria’s security situation following the CPC designation.
Despite the criticisms, Idris insisted that the Tinubu administration is taking significant steps to address insecurity.
“The Federal Government is doing much to curtail the situation,” he said.
For now, Nigeria appears focused on calming diplomatic tensions, affirming its sovereignty, and countering what it calls misconceptions about religious rights and security under the Tinubu administration.
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