Partner Nigeria to fight terrorism instead of relying on inaccurate narratives – Keyamo tells Trump
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to collaborate with Nigeria in combating terrorism rather than relying on what he called “inaccurate external narratives.”
In an open letter shared on X (formerly Twitter), Keyamo dismissed Trump’s recent claims of mass killings of Christians in Nigeria, calling them unfounded and misleading.
“As someone born and raised a Christian, it would have been unconscionable for me to serve in any government that targets Christians,” he wrote. “It is simply not true that Christians are being specifically targeted in Nigeria for persecution or killings on account of their faith.”
Keyamo, who once received the Global Human Rights Award in Washington, emphasized that Nigeria’s insecurity stems from extremist and criminal groups such as Boko Haram and armed herdsmen, which have affected people of all religions.
He further highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s inclusive leadership, noting that although Tinubu is Muslim, his wife is a Pentecostal pastor and many of his children are Christians. Several key security officials, Keyamo added, are also Christians.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s secular constitution, the minister said freedom of religion remains protected and called on the U.S. to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in addressing terrorism rather than spreading divisive narratives.
