By Saidu Ahmad Dukawa:
Introduction
At last, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has taken the decision he had long planned against Nigeria, following complaints by some Nigerian Christians who alleged that they were victims of religious persecution in the country.
Trump had once placed a similar sanction on Nigeria during his first term, but after he lost the election to Joe Biden, Biden reversed that “rash and unfair” decision.
This new ruling, however, demands that Nigeria take certain actions in line with America’s interests — or face a series of sanctions.
For example, these “American interests” could include the following:
1. Any Nigerian state practicing Sharia Law must abolish it.
2. Any law that prohibits blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) must be repealed.
3. Any location where Christians wish to build a church must grant them permission to do so.
4. Anything that Christians claim makes them “uncomfortable” in the country — such as businesses involving halal trade — must be stopped.
5. All businesses Christians desire, such as alcohol trade, must be freely allowed across the nation.
These are just examples of the complaints made by some Christian groups to the United States, which may also include political and economic demands.
This action by Trump mirrors what America once did to Iraq under Saddam Hussein — accusing the country of possessing weapons of mass destruction, just to justify an invasion.
If true justice were the goal, then both sides — the accusers and the Nigerian authorities — should have been listened to, including Muslim organizations that provided counter-evidence.
Even among Christians, many reasonable voices have spoken against these exaggerated claims, yet their words are ignored. Clearly, a plan against Nigeria had already been set in motion.
So, what is left for the Nigerian government and its citizens to do?
Here is my opinion:
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WHAT THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO
1. Use diplomatic channels to inform the Trump administration that the situation is being misrepresented. Even if America remains adamant, the rest of the sensible world will know that any step America takes against Nigeria on this basis is pure injustice, and that knowledge itself will have benefits.
2. Reduce dependence on the United States in key areas such as trade, education, and healthcare. Nigeria should instead strengthen ties with other countries like Russia, China, and Turkey.
3. Unite Nigerians — both Muslims and Christians who do not share this divisive mindset — to resist and expose any malicious plots against the nation.
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WHAT THE NIGERIAN PEOPLE SHOULD DO
1. All Nigerians — Muslims and Christians alike — should begin to reduce their personal and travel ties with the United States, especially visa applications, as it may no longer be easy to obtain them.
2. Those who hold large amounts of US dollars should consider converting their funds into other global currencies.
3. Muslims with good relationships with Christians should not let this tension destroy their friendships — and vice versa. Let unity prevail.
4. Muslims must not lose hope or courage. They should realize that they have no powerful ally. Non-Muslims are the ones with global backing. The Jews can commit atrocities against Muslims and America will support them. In India, Muslims are being killed — America is silent. In China, Muslims face persecution — America is silent.
In Nigeria, there is no single town where Muslims have chased out Christians, but in Tafawa Balewa, Christians expelled Muslims and took over the town. Terrorists who kill indiscriminately in Nigeria have taken more Muslim lives than Christian ones — yet Trump publicly declared that only Christian lives matter.
Still, Muslims can take comfort in one fact: Islam is spreading fast in both America and Europe. Perhaps, one day, when Islam gains ground there, justice and fairness will finally return to the world — because today’s problem is rooted in the injustice that Western powers built the world upon.
5. Nigerian Christians themselves need to wake up to the truth — that the Western world does not truly care about Christianity, only about controlling resources and power.
If they really cared about Christian lives, they wouldn’t have ignored what’s happening in Congo — a country with one of the largest Christian populations — where Christians kill one another. The same goes for South Sudan, Central African Republic, and Rwanda.
There are countless examples of Christian nations engulfed in crisis. And when Nigerian Christians think of running to the US for refuge, they will realize that America will not take them in. Therefore, it’s wiser to live peacefully with their Muslim brothers and sisters here in Nigeria.
6. Finally, it is the duty of all believers to constantly pray for Nigeria — that God protects it from every form of harm and evil.
Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all.
Dr. Saidu Ahmad Dukawa
Bayero University, Kano (BUK)
3 November 2025