Nigeria Denounces U.S. “Country of Concern” Tag — Ambassador Zainab, Foreign Ministry Fault Trump’s Decision, Call for Unity and Mutual Respect
By Raymond Enoch
A wave of reactions has trailed the recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump designating Nigeria as a “Country of Concern,” with prominent Nigerians and government officials condemning the move as unfair and counterproductive.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja, Ambassador Zainab Mohammed denounced the designation, describing it as “a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s complex security realities” and urging Nigerians to remain united across ethnic and religious lines.
Ambassador Zainab, who has been a vocal advocate for peace and interfaith harmony, emphasized that Nigeria’s challenges are rooted more in political and economic factors than in religion. She warned against narratives that portray the crisis as a “Christian genocide,” saying such claims only deepen division and threaten national cohesion.
“Certain political elites continue to manipulate ethnic and religious sentiments to divide Nigerians and advance their own interests,” she said. “We must rise above such divisive tendencies and reaffirm our shared identity as Nigerians.”
She urged citizens to exercise restraint in their public statements and social media engagement, stressing the need to build bridges of trust and understanding. Quoting from the former national anthem, she reminded Nigerians: “Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.”
In a related development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a formal statement rejecting the U.S. designation, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and tolerance.
According to the statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry, Nigeria remains steadfast in its efforts to combat violent extremism, which it says is driven largely by external and special interests that seek to destabilize the West African and Sahel regions.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to defend all citizens, irrespective of race, creed, or religion,” the statement read. “Like America, Nigeria celebrates diversity as its greatest strength.”
The Ministry further reiterated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu values its longstanding relationship with the United States and remains committed to working with all global partners who share the ideals of peace, democracy, and mutual respect.
Both statements highlight Nigeria’s insistence that its internal security and religious freedom challenges cannot be reduced to a single narrative — and that partnership, not polarization, remains the key to achieving lasting peace.
