Why Tinubu Has Not Visited US Amid Rising Diplomatic Tension – Minister

President Bola Tinubu will travel to the United States to meet President Donald Trump only “when the situation is right,” according to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

The minister’s comments follow heightened diplomatic tension between Abuja and Washington after President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

Speaking on Channels Television programme, Idris said Tinubu’s visit would depend on evolving circumstances but emphasised that the president was not avoiding the U.S.

“We believe that he will go once the situation is right for him to go,” he said. “But he has been to America. I was with him at the UN when he took office.”

Ties between both nations became strained after Trump accused Nigeria of allowing the “mass slaughter of Christians,” a claim the Nigerian government firmly denies. The CPC label, which is linked to religious freedom violations, has drawn sharp criticism from Abuja.

SaharaReporters had reported that Trump issued a controversial warning on his Truth Social platform, threatening to halt US aid and potentially launch military action if Nigeria failed to curb insecurity, days after the designation.

“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians… (the US) may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing’,” he wrote, adding that he had instructed the U.S. “Department of War” to prepare for possible action.

The remarks sparked outrage internationally and prompted Nigeria to reaffirm its commitment to protecting all religious groups.

“Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths,” Tinubu responded.

In response to the growing diplomatic rift, Nigeria dispatched a high-powered delegation to Washington. The team includes the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who is expected to hold talks aimed at easing tensions and defending Nigeria’s position.

Idris stressed that the government is actively engaging the US to correct misconceptions and reinforce bilateral ties.

“This is part of diplomatic efforts to engage the US government and strengthen relations,” he said.

The tensions come as Nigeria grapples with serious security issues ranging from terrorism and banditry to kidnapping. This week alone, gunmen abducted scores of students in Kebbi and Niger States, further highlighting the scale of insecurity.

The US Congress also held a public hearing on Trump’s CPC designation, placing Nigeria’s security crisis under renewed global spotlight on Thursday.

Despite acknowledging the challenges, Idris insisted the Tinubu administration is making significant efforts to address insecurity.

“The Federal Government is doing much to curtail the situation,” he noted.

For now, the Nigerian government appears focused on calming tensions, countering allegations of targeted religious violence, and reaffirming Nigeria’s sovereignty as both nations navigate one of their most contentious diplomatic moments in years.