Tinubu Tags Trump In Christmas Message Amid U.S. Pressure Over Alleged Christian Genocide

In a direct nod to mounting diplomatic pressure, President Bola Tinubu used his 2025 Christmas message to specifically address religious freedom, even tagging U.S. President Donald Trump (@realDonaldTrump) in his official post. The gesture follows the October 2025 reinstatement of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by the Trump administration—a designation reserved for the world’s most severe violators of religious liberty.
Throughout 2025, reports of targeted violence have reached a critical threshold. According to data from the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), at least 7,087 Christians were killed in the first seven months of 2025 alone—an average of roughly 32 deaths per day. The same report indicates that approximately 7,899 Christians were abducted during this period.
In his goodwill message, President Tinubu sought to reassure both the domestic and international communities of his administration’s stance:

“As your President, I remain committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect all people of different faiths from violence.”

He further addressed the social contributions of the Christian community, stating, “The love of Christ and the message of the Gospel have inspired many Christians to care for the vulnerable and less privileged in our society. We honour those who, following the example of Jesus, work tirelessly to promote peace, harmony, and tolerance in their communities.”
The Escalation of Diplomatic Friction
The tension between Abuja and Washington has intensified since President Trump’s return to the White House. The reinstatement of the CPC status on October 31, 2025, was accompanied by warnings of severe consequences. In November 2025, Trump signaled that a lack of “tangible action” could result in the U.S. cutting off all foreign aid and potentially deploying a “fast, vicious, and sweet” military response against extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP.
The “Christian genocide” narrative, which gained traction during Trump’s first term, continues to be a focal point for U.S. lawmakers. Representative Chris Smith recently cited data suggesting that since 2009, over 52,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria, compared to 34,000 moderate Muslims. Conversely, organizations like ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project) note that while violence is pervasive, events explicitly targeting Christians on the basis of religion comprise about 5% of all reported civilian-targeting incidents, with much of the remaining violence attributed to broader banditry and communal clashes.
President Tinubu concluded his message with a call for national resilience:
“No one, regardless of ethnicity or belief, should be made to suffer for professing and practising his faith. The love for God and love for humanity is at the heart of all the great faiths. These shared values must continue to bind us together as one indivisible and resilient people.”

Despite these assurances, the Nigerian government continues to face intense scrutiny as Washington demands a significant reduction in the violence that has displaced over 1,100 Christian communities and destroyed roughly 19,100 churches since 2009.