By Obinna Uballa
The Federal Government says President Bola Tinubu will visit the United States and meet with President Donald Trump “when the situation is right,” amid rising diplomatic tensions between both countries.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the clarification on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, following concerns over Trump’s recent decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
Idris stressed that the president is not avoiding the US, noting that he had previously travelled there shortly after assuming office.
“We believe he will go once the situation is right for him to go. But he has been to America – I was with him at the UN when he took office,” the minister said.
Tensions escalated after President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a CPC over what he described as the mass killing of Christians. Days later, he issued an unusually aggressive warning, threatening possible US military action if the Nigerian government fails to address rising insecurity.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He also ordered the US “Department of War” to prepare for potential action, saying any operation would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
Nigeria has firmly denied allegations of targeted killings of Christians. President Tinubu responded that the country’s Constitution protects citizens of all faiths.
To manage the fallout, a high-level Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu is currently in Washington for consultations with US officials. Idris said the move is part of efforts to clarify Nigeria’s position, deepen engagement, and de-escalate tensions.
He acknowledged the country’s security challenges but maintained that the government is making significant progress in containing them.
The issue attracted further attention on Thursday when the US Congress held a public hearing on Nigeria’s CPC designation. Lawmakers reviewed Trump’s claims amid persistent concerns about insecurity in Africa’s most populous country.
Nigeria continues to grapple with terrorism, banditry, and mass kidnappings. This week alone, dozens of students were abducted in attacks on schools in Kebbi and Niger states.
The Federal Government insists it remains committed to protecting all citizens and strengthening diplomatic relations with the US despite recent tensions.
