The Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN) on Tuesday criticised U.S. President Donald Trump over comments it described as “irresponsible” and “neo-imperialist,” saying the remarks undermined Nigeria’s sovereignty.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mr. Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, the organisation said Trump’s comments amounted to an attempt to oversimplify Nigeria’s internal challenges.
According to the group, the remarks reflect “yet another instance of external figures attempting to impose narratives on African nations without accuracy, nuance, or respect.”
“The recent comments made by United States President Donald Trump regarding Nigeria’s internal affairs represent oversimplification, sensationalism, and a disregard for context,” it said.
CEFSAN said Trump’s position aligns with what it described as a historical pattern of foreign interference that African countries have long rejected.
It cited the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which upholds the sovereign equality of member states and reinforces the principle of non-interference.
The group said Nigeria’s security challenges are rooted in “complex socio-economic and historical dynamics,” not in what it called “simplistic narratives crafted for foreign political audiences.”
“Nigeria is not a subject of foreign commentary but a sovereign nation,” it said, urging Trump and other global figures to respect African Union standards and avoid comments that could distort reality or inflame tensions.
CEFSAN also urged the Federal Government to strengthen efforts to protect citizens amid persistent insecurity.
“The Nigerian government has not adequately fulfilled its fundamental responsibility to protect lives and property,” it said, citing persistent attacks on communities and slow responses to violence.
The group called for urgent reforms, including strengthening security institutions, improving early-warning systems, and enhancing accountability in government responses.
“External partners who wish to engage must do so with humility, factual responsibility, and respect,” it added.