U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s recent remarks suggesting that Christians are being persecuted in northern Nigeria are not only misleading but also dangerously inflammatory. His comments, steeped in factual inaccuracies and political mischief, risk igniting religious tension in a country that has worked hard to maintain delicate interfaith harmony.
A Nation Forged in Diversity
Nigeria’s identity as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation dates back to its formation under British colonial rule. For decades, Nigerians have lived side by side, bound by shared history and mutual tolerance. The country’s major internal conflict—the 1967–1970 civil war—ended with a national reconciliation policy of “no victor, no vanquished.” Since then, Nigeria has continued to exist as a united, sovereign entity.
Democracy and Maturity
After years of military rule and political instability, democracy was restored in 1999. Over the past 25 years, Nigeria has made notable progress in deepening democratic values. The peaceful transfer of power between political parties, most notably in 2015, reflected a level of political maturity that earned international respect.
Economic Transformation and Indigenous Drive
Nigeria’s private sector has been the engine of its modern economic transformation. The manufacturing, oil, and gas sectors have witnessed significant growth led by homegrown entrepreneurs such as Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Mike Adenuga, and Abdulsamad Rabiu.
These industrialists have redefined corporate leadership on the African continent, proving that Nigerians can compete globally through innovation, vision, and resilience.
Unmasking the Real Motive
Trump’s attempt to paint Nigeria as a “country of concern” cannot be divorced from shifting global energy interests. The rise of the Dangote Refinery—now Africa’s largest—has dramatically altered the oil and gas landscape. For the first time, a Nigerian-owned company is emerging as a major supplier of refined petroleum products to Europe and America, challenging the dominance of global oil giants like Shell, Mobil, and Eni.
This development threatens established interests in the Western oil industry, which for decades benefited from Nigeria’s dependence on foreign refineries. The prospect of job losses and declining profits in those markets has unsettled powerful oil lobbies—what Dangote once referred to as “more dangerous than the drug cartels.”
Religion as a Smokescreen
By invoking religion, Trump and his allies appear to be using an old tactic—stirring internal divisions to mask external economic interests. Cloaking strategic concerns in the garb of faith serves one purpose: to destabilize Nigeria’s internal peace while preserving Western dominance over its vital resources.
Behind the moral rhetoric lies a calculated agenda. It is not about protecting Christians or Muslims—it’s about protecting profits.
The Path Forward
Nigeria now stands at a crucial crossroad. The choice is between asserting control over its resources through visionary local entrepreneurs or allowing foreign interests to manipulate its internal dynamics for their gain.
The country must remain vigilant, united, and discerning. External provocations wrapped in religious sentiment must be seen for what they are—distractions meant to derail Nigeria’s progress and undermine its sovereignty.
Mahmud Shuaibu Ringim
mahmudshuaibu44@gmail.com
