Nigeria's NSA Ribadu Meets US Defence Secretary Hegseth Amid Trump's Threats Over Christian Persecution

High-Level Talks Address Escalating US-Nigeria Tensions

Nigeria's National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu led a high-level delegation to Washington D.C. on Thursday, November 20, 2025, for urgent talks with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine. The unannounced meeting aimed to de-escalate diplomatic tensions following recent threats from US President Donald Trump regarding alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria.

The discussions, which were not listed on public schedules and were closed to the press, underscore the sensitive nature of the issues at hand. Secretary Hegseth later confirmed the meeting on his official X account, stating that they discussed 'horrific violence against Christians' in Nigeria and that the Department of War (DOW) is 'working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists.'

Trump's Threats and Nigeria's Rebuttal

The meeting was prompted by a series of strong statements from President Donald Trump earlier in November. On November 1 and 2, 2025, Trump designated Nigeria a 'Country of Particular Concern' (CPC) for religious freedom violations. He threatened to halt all US aid and potentially deploy American troops, stating the US 'may very well go into that now disgraced country, 'guns-a-blazing,' to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists' if Nigeria failed to curb the killing of Christians. Trump also instructed the 'Department of War' to prepare for possible action.

In response, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu directed NSA Ribadu to lead the delegation to the US. The Nigerian government has consistently rejected Trump's allegations, asserting that terrorist attacks in the country affect both Muslims and Christians, and that there is no state policy or pattern of persecution against any religious group. Nigerian officials maintain that the situation is a complex security challenge driven by various factors, including extremist insurgencies, farmer-herder conflicts, and banditry, rather than a targeted religious genocide.

Composition of the Nigerian Delegation and US Demands

The Nigerian delegation accompanying NSA Nuhu Ribadu included several key officials, demonstrating the gravity with which Nigeria views the situation:

• Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
• Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police
• Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney General of the Federation
• Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff

The US side, represented by Secretary Hegseth and Gen. Caine, emphasized the need for Nigeria to take 'urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians.' The US is reportedly considering a new plan that could include sanctions and expanded Pentagon counterterrorism support to compel Nigeria to better protect its Christian communities. This follows Nigeria's re-designation as a CPC, a status it held in 2020 before being delisted by the Biden administration in 2021.

Outlook on US-Nigeria Security Cooperation

Despite the current diplomatic strain, the United States and Nigeria have a longstanding security partnership, with cooperation spanning military education, equipment sales, and counterterrorism initiatives. The US aims to enhance this cooperation to 'deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States.' The outcome of these high-level talks is expected to shape the future trajectory of this critical bilateral relationship, as both nations seek to navigate complex security challenges while addressing concerns over human rights and religious freedom.