President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s planned visit to the United States for diplomatic talks with President Donald Trump has been put on hold, according to our sources on Monday.
Presidency insiders revealed that while engagements between Abuja and Washington are ongoing, a physical meeting between Tinubu and Trump is not confirmed at this time.
“No travel plans have been finalised for President Tinubu to visit Washington, D.C. Conversations with the US government continue, but a face-to-face meeting is not yet on the cards,” a senior presidency official disclosed.
Instead, the G-20 Summit in Durban, South Africa, scheduled for November 20, is now being considered as the most likely venue for the two leaders to hold their first bilateral discussions.
“There is currently an invitation for President Tinubu to attend the G-20 Summit in Durban. A possible meeting with President Trump could happen there,” the source added.
Earlier Expectations of Tinubu-Trump Meeting
Earlier reports suggested that Tinubu and Trump were set to meet “in the coming days,” either at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja or at the White House in Washington, to deepen cooperation on counterterrorism, security, and global diplomacy.
This followed comments by Daniel Bwala, Media Aide to President Tinubu, who said both leaders share a common commitment to combating terrorism and violent extremism. His remarks came after President Trump designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”
According to Bwala, Trump’s administration had offered significant security assistance to Nigeria, which Tinubu had strengthened since assuming office.
“President Trump assisted Nigeria by authorising the sale of arms, and President Tinubu has effectively utilised that support in the fight against terrorism, with notable results,” Bwala stated.
He added that any differences in perception over whether terrorists in Nigeria specifically target Christians or all religious groups would be addressed during the leaders’ engagement.
Trump’s Warning to Nigeria
President Trump recently issued a stern warning, stating that the United States may take direct military action in Nigeria if attacks on Christians persist.
Trump threatened to cut all US aid to Nigeria and said the American military could intervene if the situation does not improve.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will stop all aid and may go into that disgraced country ‘guns-a-blazing’ to wipe out the Islamic terrorists,” Trump said.
He added that any US military action would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
Nigeria Denies Claims of Religious Genocide
Reacting to growing global concerns, the Nigerian Presidency strongly denied claims of a Christian genocide, insisting that the country remains committed to religious freedom.
President Tinubu reaffirmed that Nigeria’s constitution protects religious liberty and that his administration has fostered engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders across the country.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said.
He dismissed what he described as misrepresentation of Nigeria’s religious environment by external voices.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality or the government’s sincere efforts to safeguard freedom of religion for all,” he added.
Tinubu stressed that religious tolerance remains a core national value and pledged continued cooperation with the United States and other international partners to protect all faith communities.