Nigerian First Lady Calls Christian Genocide Claims “US Propaganda,” Praises Trump’s Intervention

Nigeria’s First Lady Seeks U.S. Military Aid Against Terrorism While Addressing Christian Persecution Claims

Nigeria’s First Lady Remi Tinubu has characterized former U.S. President Donald Trump’s focus on protecting Christians in Nigeria as “divine intervention” while simultaneously dismissing claims of Christian genocide in the West African nation as propaganda.

During her recent diplomatic visit to the United States, Mrs. Tinubu, who serves as a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, addressed the complex narrative surrounding religious persecution in her country in an interview with The Hill.

“Divine in the sense that who would have even noticed Nigeria? Or to really understand what we are grappling with and trying to build the country?” Mrs. Tinubu explained, suggesting that international attention on Nigeria’s religious dynamics has inadvertently brought needed focus to the nation’s broader challenges.

The First Lady’s comments come amid increasing international concern about sectarian violence in Nigeria, where clashes between predominantly Muslim herders and largely Christian farming communities have intensified in recent years, particularly in the country’s Middle Belt region. These conflicts have claimed thousands of lives and displaced countless others, leading some international observers to characterize the situation as targeted religious persecution.

When questioned about whether Trump might have been influenced by misleading narratives about Christian persecution, Mrs. Tinubu defended the former president’s attention to the issue. “I don’t think so. No one in the free world will hear that Christians have been killed — and the U.S. is a Christian country — and you can hear that, and not speak up, or to react,” she stated.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with over 200 million citizens, has struggled with a complex security landscape. Beyond farmer-herder conflicts, the country faces insurgency from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the northeast, widespread banditry in the northwest, and separatist movements in the southeast.

During her U.S. visit, Mrs. Tinubu also made a significant appeal for increased American military intervention against terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria. In a separate interview with Fox News, she characterized a Christmas Day U.S. strike on terrorists in Sokoto state as “quite a blessing” and expressed hope for expanded security cooperation.

“Nigeria is looking forward to collaboration….We are expecting that there will be more,” the First Lady stated, signaling the Tinubu administration’s openness to international military partnerships to address the country’s security challenges.

The Christmas Day operation she referenced was part of the U.S. Africa Command’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the region, which have intensified as militant groups expand their reach across the Sahel.

Security experts note that Nigeria’s security challenges transcend religious lines, with both Muslims and Christians falling victim to terrorism and banditry. The country’s security forces have struggled to contain the various armed groups despite significant military spending.

The First Lady’s comments highlight the delicate balance Nigerian officials must maintain in addressing religious tensions while seeking international support for broader security challenges. President Bola Tinubu’s administration has emphasized national unity across religious lines since taking office in May 2023, though critics argue more concrete action is needed to protect vulnerable communities.

Mrs. Tinubu’s U.S. visit represents part of Nigeria’s diplomatic push to strengthen bilateral relations with the United States, focusing on security cooperation, economic partnership, and humanitarian assistance as the West African nation confronts multiple crises simultaneously.