OPINION: A MISPLACED DECLARATION

Adebayo Ilupeju

When United States President; Donald J. Trump declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged persecution of Christians, many Nigerians were stunned. To those who live and breathe the Nigerian experience daily, this was not a reflection of reality but an echo of the West’s tendency to simplify Africa’s challenges into narrow, headline-grabbing narratives.

Nigeria’s problems are many insecurity, poverty, corruption but institutional persecution of Christians is not one of them.

Understanding the facts on the ground

Evidence from local and international sources, including Premium Times, Reuters, and HumAngle, clearly shows that the killings and insecurity affecting Nigeria are driven largely by terrorism, banditry, and communal violence not by a state-sponsored agenda against Christians.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly denied these allegations, stressing that Nigeria remains a secular nation with full constitutional guarantees for freedom of worship. Across the country, churches operate freely; mosques call the faithful to prayer without hindrance. Christians and Muslims alike occupy key leadership roles in politics, the military, and the economy.

‎It is, therefore, both unfair and inaccurate to interpret criminal violence by non-state actors whether Boko Haram, ISWAP, or bandits as evidence of religious persecution. These groups have killed Muslims and Christians alike, seeking chaos, not conversion.

‎Why the CPC label misses the point

The designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” stems from a misunderstanding or perhaps a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s complex security situation.

‎Conflicts in Nigeria are multidimensional: terrorism, farmer-herder clashes due to climate change, communal rivalries, and criminal extortion. While these crises may sometimes involve people of different faiths, they are rarely motivated by religion itself.

‎No law in Nigeria restricts Christian worship or targets Christians for discrimination. From the Presidency to the National Assembly, from the judiciary to the private sector, Christians hold influential positions. The country’s leadership, past and present, reflects its religious diversity.

Trump’s declaration, therefore, flattens a deeply nuanced situation into a single, misleading narrative one that fuels suspicion rather than understanding.

‎Geopolitics, not gospel

‎Beyond moral outrage, one must ask: why now? Why would Washington suddenly label Nigeria as hostile to Christians at a time when the country is strengthening its economic independence and exploring deeper ties with BRICS nations?

It’s no secret that Nigeria’s growing industrial power symbolized by the rise of conglomerates like the Dangote Group and its engagement with non-Western partners have shifted the global balance of influence. Some analysts argue that the CPC declaration is less about religion and more about strategic politics: a pressure tactic disguised as moral concern.

The U.S. has historically invoked the rhetoric of “religious freedom” to influence policy and justify intervention. From Iraq to Sudan, similar patterns can be traced. Nigeria’s increasing self-reliance and pivot toward alternative global partnerships may simply have invited renewed scrutiny.

The silence of Nigerian elites

What is even more troubling than Trump’s declaration is the deafening silence of Nigerian leaders both Christian and Muslim who have refused to challenge this distortion.

‎Their silence allows foreign actors to define Nigeria’s narrative. It strengthens false perceptions abroad and discourages foreign investment at home. When world powers see Nigeria as unstable and divided along religious lines, it affects everything trade, diplomacy, and tourism.

‎Those who have profited from lobbying Washington for personal or political favours must now be held accountable. As the saying goes, “when you sell your sibling for half a kobo, you cannot buy them back for a naira.”

A nation under siege but not by religion

Let’s be honest: Nigerians are dying. But they are dying from terrorism, poverty, and weak governance not from faith-based persecution.

‎The Nigerian military continues to fight terrorists in the North-East and North-West, often with heavy casualties. Communities in the Middle Belt face bandit attacks that have nothing to do with faith but everything to do with state failure and the proliferation of arms.

‎To frame these complex realities as a “Christian genocide” is intellectually lazy and politically dangerous. It ignores Muslim victims, fuels mistrust, and divides communities that have coexisted for centuries.

‎Beware of imported narrative

‎Western media thrives on simple binaries: Christian versus Muslim, North versus South, good versus evil. Nigeria doesn’t fit neatly into these boxes.

‎The real Nigeria is one where Muslims attend church weddings and Christians celebrate Eid with their Muslim friends. Where people pray together at national events and compete peacefully in business and politics.

When advocacy groups or foreign NGOs present partial or biased data, it creates ripple effects shaping foreign policies that hurt Nigeria’s reputation and relationships. This is why it’s imperative for Nigerians to tell their own story, backed by credible local data and responsible journalism.

Taking ownership of our destiny Instead of reacting to foreign classifications, Nigeria should focus on building internal credibility. That means strengthening institutions, reforming security systems, investing in education, and ensuring that no region feels neglected or excluded.

We must also reduce our dependence on foreign validation. A country that continually seeks approval from Washington or Brussels will always find itself at the mercy of shifting global politics.

If the West truly wants to help, it should invest in addressing the roots of instability job creation, climate resilience, and education not in spreading narratives that divide communities.

‎Conclusion: A country of perseverance, not persecution

‎Trump’s CPC declaration may have made headlines, but it fails the truth test. Nigeria’s crisis is not a war of faith it is a struggle for governance, justice, and security.

The world must understand that Nigeria is not a land of persecution but of perseverance a nation striving, imperfectly but persistently, toward unity and progress.

‎For that journey to succeed, Nigerians regardless of religion must speak with one voice, challenge distorted narratives, and chart their own path without waiting for validation from afar.

Author’s Note:
Adebayo Ilupeju is a Nigerian public affairs analyst and communication strategist passionate about nation building, social inclusion, and responsible global engagement. He writes from Lagos.