Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is confident the country will emerge stronger following threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, Information Minister Mohammed Idris said on Tuesday, adding that the issue is being handled with “seriousness and depth.”
Speaking after a routine meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Idris said the Nigerian leader was calm and focused on dialogue and diplomacy to address Washington’s concerns.
“The President remains calm and is ensuring that the international community understands what Nigeria has been doing,” Idris told reporters. “Only two weeks ago, he strengthened the Armed Forces with the appointment of new service chiefs — steps taken even before the U.S. concerns arose.”
Trump had threatened to take action against Nigeria over alleged anti-Christian violence, saying he had instructed the U.S. Department of War to “prepare for possible action.” In a social media post on Saturday, he also warned that the United States would cut off assistance if the Nigerian government “continues to allow the killing of Christians.”
Idris said the Tinubu administration was prioritising engagement over confrontation and had opened new communication channels with international organisations to improve understanding of Nigeria’s reforms and policies.
“The government is pursuing a multi-pronged approach,” Idris said. “The President has been meeting with religious leaders — both Christian and Muslim — to promote unity and tolerance among Nigerians.”
He added that the federal government remained committed to security and national cohesion, and was determined to eliminate criminal elements responsible for violence that has hurt Nigeria’s global image.
“For us to be characterised as a country intolerant of religion is absolutely false,” Idris said. “What we have are extremists trying to divide the country. This is not the time for division but for nation-building.”
The minister said his meeting with Tinubu was part of ongoing consultations to align government communication strategies with presidential directives.