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Nigeria’s first lady calls Trump focus on Christians a “divine intervention”
MLN: 05/02/2026 Nigeria’s first lady Oluremi Tinubu said international concern over the persecution of Christians in Nigeria is often driven by propaganda, but described President Donald Trump’s focus on protecting Christians as a divine intervention that has opened space to deepen ties with the United States and confront insecurity and terrorism.
Speaking in Washington while attending events around the National Prayer Breakfast, Tinubu said global attention has created an opportunity for Nigeria to explain its challenges and strengthen cooperation with the U.S.
She said, “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?” She added that reports of violence against Christians resonate in the U.S., saying, “No one in the free world will hear that Christians have been killed … and not speak up, or to react.”
Trump designated Nigeria a, country of particular concern in October following lobbying by religious freedom advocates and some Republican lawmakers. The designation requires consultations with Abuja and a U.S. policy response.
Tinubu said the government has responded by declaring a national emergency and increasing security deployments. She also said criminal violence in Nigeria includes banditry and kidnappings that cut across religious lines and warned that narrow focus can distort the problem.
Trump has described Christians in Nigeria as facing an “existential threat” and threatened to cut off U.S. assistance if Abuja failed to act. In December, the U.S. carried out strikes targeting terrorist groups after coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Tinubu said attention from Washington was a “wake up call” and argued that security cooperation should support broader trade and investment ties. U.S. officials said a small advisory team is assisting Nigerian forces, as both countries expand security and economic engagement.
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