WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Nov. 1, 2025 that the United States would halt all aid to Nigeria and could take military action if the Nigerian government “continues to allow the killings of Christians.” In a post on his social media platform, Trump said: “If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killings of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria. We are going to do things to Nigeria that Nigeria is not going to be happy about.”
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Trump said he had instructed the Pentagon to prepare for “possible action,” and suggested U.S. troops or air strikes could be used to stop what he described as widespread attacks on Christians in the West African nation. The president framed the moves as intended to protect religious minorities.
Abuja pushed back strongly. Nigeria’s foreign minister and other officials rejected the suggestion that the killings were state-sanctioned, saying the country’s constitution guarantees religious freedom and that many violent incidents are the work of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and IS-affiliated militants. Nigerian authorities said they would welcome international assistance to fight insurgents so long as Nigeria’s sovereignty is respected.
The remarks drew immediate international attention and raised questions about U.S. policy toward Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and a major oil producer. Human rights groups and analysts have long warned about intercommunal and extremist violence in parts of Nigeria, but experts also note that victims include people of different faiths and that the situation is complex.
The White House did not provide further details on what a suspension of aid would cover or what form any military operation might take. U.S. officials routinely say any deployment of American forces would require careful legal, diplomatic and operational planning.
