United States President Donald Trump has publicly acknowledged Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as a “very respected woman” and a prominent Christian leader, spotlighting her at the 74th Annual National Prayer Breakfast on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Trump, while addressing thousands of global faith and political leaders at the event, drew attention to Mrs. Tinubu’s presence and praised her spiritual role in Nigeria.
“We are honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at one of the largest churches. A very respected woman,” Trump said. “First Lady, where are you? Thank you very much. It is a great honour to have you with us.”
The moment instantly underscored Nigeria’s growing presence in global faith and diplomatic conversations.
Remi Tinubu Dismisses Claims of Christian Persecution in Nigeria
Speaking at the International Religious Summit in Washington, D.C., Mrs. Tinubu rejected claims that Christians in Nigeria are being targeted solely because of their faith, describing the narrative as largely driven by propaganda.
She explained that Nigeria’s security crisis is complex and affects citizens across religious lines.
“What we have to establish is that when we talk about attacks on Christians, we must realise that Nigeria is also an emerging economy facing theft, banditry and kidnapping for ransom. All of these are intertwined,” she said.
According to her, focusing solely on Christians as victims could unintentionally make them targets for criminal gangs seeking ransom.
“If kidnappers know that attention is being focused on Christians, they may begin to target them so that it appears they are being persecuted,” she added.
‘Trump’s Attention Is a Divine Wake-Up Call’
Mrs. Tinubu said she views President Trump’s concern over killings in Nigeria as a form of divine intervention, one that has created an opportunity to strengthen relations between both countries and confront terrorism more decisively.
“I see Trump’s focus on Christian killings as divine intervention. Divine in the sense that, who would have even noticed Nigeria? Or to really understand what we are grappling with and trying to build as a country?” she asked.
She said the attention, though uncomfortable, has forced Nigeria to confront its security challenges more urgently.
“I’ve always believed that all things work together for good. I didn’t want this attention, but at least I have to speak my truth. That’s why I came,” she said.
Call for Stronger US-Nigeria Partnership on Trade and Security
Mrs. Tinubu stressed that Nigeria is more interested in building a sustainable partnership with the United States focused on trade, investment and security rather than military intervention.
“I’m not a security person,” she said when asked about U.S. military involvement.
“But the relationship we want to build with America is one based on trade and security. Because we can’t have good trade relationships if your investment is not secured.”
She added that global concern about Nigeria’s security situation should be seen as a wake-up call for government at all levels.
“There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a wake-up call for us. We have to really step up what we are doing and make sure lives are secured,” she said.
Context: Rising US Pressure Over Religious Freedom
Mrs. Tinubu’s remarks come a day after a U.S. congressional hearing recommended tougher measures, including sanctions and economic penalties, against countries accused of violating Christian religious freedom.
Her visit also follows President Trump’s Christmas-Day missile strike targeting terrorist elements in Nigeria, a development that heightened international attention on the country’s security crisis.
Joined by Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to Nigeria’s National Security Agency, the First Lady said the current moment presents an opportunity for honest engagement and stronger cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
