Public Affairs Analyst, Jude Ojo has clarified that the recent decision by former U.S. President Donald Trump to again designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” is not unprecedented.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV from 1:38, Ojo stated that this move echoes a similar action taken by the Trump administration during his first term in 2020.
“It’s not the first time that the Trump administration will designate Nigeria as a country of concern. Way back in 2020, he did it,” Ojo said. He noted that the renewed designation highlights ongoing international attention on Nigeria’s human rights record, religious freedom, and internal security challenges.
Ojo explained that the United States’ “country of particular concern” status is reserved for nations accused of tolerating or engaging in severe violations of religious freedom. According to him, the reappearance of Nigeria on the list underlines persistent issues surrounding sectarian violence, insecurity, and the government’s perceived failure to protect citizens.
He also observed that the timing of Trump’s renewed statement could be politically strategic, aimed at reinforcing his image as a global defender of Christian rights. “Trump has always positioned himself as a protector of persecuted Christians around the world, and Nigeria has remained a key reference point in that narrative,” Ojo added.
The analyst further called on Nigerian authorities to address the root causes of religious and ethnic tensions rather than dismissing such designations as mere political rhetoric. He urged the government to strengthen interfaith dialogue and enforce accountability for perpetrators of violence. View, More,
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