President Bola Tinubu is set to visit the United States on Tuesday for high-level diplomatic engagements amid growing tension over allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria and threats of U.S. military intervention by President Donald Trump.
According to presidency sources, Tinubu’s visit will include a meeting with U.S. Vice President James David (JD) Vance, who has been delegated by President Trump to receive the Nigerian leader, barring any last-minute changes.
This development follows earlier reports that Tinubu and Trump were scheduled to hold talks either in Abuja or Washington to strengthen cooperation on counterterrorism and global security.
Tinubu’s media aide, Daniel Bwala, had stated that both leaders share common ground on the fight against insurgency and terrorism. He noted that Trump previously supported Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts by approving arms sales — an opportunity Tinubu’s administration has continued to utilize effectively.
“As for the differences as to whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or all faiths, any misunderstandings will be addressed and resolved during their meeting,” Bwala added.
President Trump recently warned that the U.S. might deploy military force to Nigeria to stop the alleged killing of Christians, saying the country could face “guns blazing” action if the situation persists.
Responding to the controversy, Tinubu dismissed the genocide allegations, emphasizing that Nigeria remains a democracy founded on religious freedom and equality for all faiths.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” he said, adding that his administration continues to engage both Christian and Muslim leaders while tackling nationwide security challenges.
He also rejected what he described as a “mischaracterization” of Nigeria’s religious landscape, stressing that the country’s diversity and ongoing peace efforts are proof of its commitment to tolerance.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our national identity and shall always remain so,” Tinubu affirmed, pledging to continue working with international partners to safeguard communities across all faiths.
