Tinubu To Meet Trump To Address Alleged Christian Genocide In Nigeria

The Presidency has confirmed that President Bola Tinubu will meet with United States President Donald Trump in the coming days to discuss allegations of a Christian genocide in Nigeria. The announcement was made by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, in a post on X on Saturday. His statement followed Trump’s recent comments accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from deadly attacks. According to Bwala, the planned meeting will focus on deepening counterterrorism cooperation and addressing misconceptions about the nature of terrorist violence in Nigeria. “Both President @officialABAT and President @realDonaldTrump have shared interests in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity,” Bwala wrote. “President Trump has assisted Nigeria a lot by authorising the sale of arms, and President Tinubu has adequately utilised that opportunity in the fight against terrorism, with massive results to show for it. “As for the differences as to whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or all faiths, those would be discussed and resolved by the two leaders when they meet in the coming days, either in the State House or the White House.” The development comes after Trump declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” claiming Christians in the country face an “existential threat.” In a post on Truth Social, he alleged that “radical Islamists” were responsible for “mass slaughter” and warned that the United States could cut off aid or take military action if the killings persist. “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump wrote. He added that he had instructed the Pentagon to prepare possible plans of attack. Trump’s comments followed similar accusations by US lawmaker Riley Moore, who urged Washington to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and suspend arms sales until the government demonstrates a “tangible commitment” to protecting Christians. The Nigerian government has repeatedly dismissed the genocide claims, insisting that terrorist attacks in the country affect citizens of all faiths and are not religiously motivated. Bwala stressed that both Tinubu and Trump are committed to strengthening global peace and security, saying the upcoming meeting will serve as an opportunity to clear misunderstandings and reinforce cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

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Nigeria Dismisses Trump’s Allegations of Christian Persecution, Reaffirms Religious Harmony

The Nigerian Government has rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that Christians are facing an “existential threat” in the country, following his decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). Trump made the announcement on Friday, citing alleged mass killings of Christians by radical Islamists and calling on U.S. lawmakers to investigate. “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed… I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN,’” he stated, urging Congressman Riley Moore and the House Appropriations Committee to look into the matter. In response on Saturday, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the claims do not reflect the reality on the ground. “Nigeria notes the recent remarks by U.S. President Donald J. Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians and calling for the country’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’” the ministry said. The statement emphasized that Nigerians of all faiths have coexisted peacefully for decades. It also reaffirmed the government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to combating terrorism, promoting interfaith harmony, and safeguarding the rights and lives of all citizens. Nigeria further pledged to maintain constructive dialogue with the United States to enhance mutual understanding of the country’s ongoing peace and security efforts.

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Tinubu Decorates New Service Chiefs Following Senate Approval

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday formally decorated Nigeria’s newly appointed service chiefs at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The ceremony, which began shortly after 2pm, saw Tinubu joined by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the officers, all dressed in their respective service uniforms, as they pinned the ranks on the new appointees. The decorated officers are General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff. Their appointments followed Senate confirmation on Wednesday, after a two-hour closed-door screening in which lawmakers questioned them on strategies to strengthen national security and enhance coordination among the armed forces. Tinubu had earlier written the red chamber, urging an expedited confirmation process to “ensure continuity in the nation’s security leadership.” Senior government officials, lawmakers, family members of the service chiefs, and top military officers were present at the event. The decorations come barely a week after a major reshuffle in the military hierarchy, described by the Presidency as an effort to bring fresh direction to Nigeria’s defence architecture. Major General E. A. P. Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence, retained his post. Addressing speculation linking the reshuffle to a reported coup plot, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President acted within his constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief, noting that service chiefs can be appointed or removed at the President’s discretion. Earlier on Monday, Tinubu held a private meeting with the new service chiefs at the Villa. They arrived in a black Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, escorted by a green Toyota Land Cruiser, for a 40-minute session during which they were tasked with taking decisive action against insurgents and bandits, particularly in the northern states. The reshuffle followed an October 19 report alleging some officers were plotting to overthrow the government, a claim later dismissed by Defence Headquarters as “false and mischievous.” Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, described the alleged plot as a reflection of “issues of indiscipline” within the ranks and intended to “create unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”

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Tinubu Approves 15% Import Duty On Fuel Products

President Bola Tinubu has given approval for a 15 percent ad-valorem import duty to be imposed on petrol and diesel, a move expected to affect the landing cost and possibly pump prices across the country. The approval was contained in a letter dated October 21, 2025, and signed by Damilotun Aderemi, the President’s Private Secretary. The directive was addressed to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). According to the correspondence, the decision followed a proposal from FIRS to apply the 15 percent duty on the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value of imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). The tax agency explained that the measure was designed to align import costs with the country’s current economic realities. “The President has approved the application of 15 percent ad-valorem import duty on the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value of imported diesel and premium motor spirit (PMS),” the letter stated. With the new tariff, the landing cost of petrol is projected to rise by about ₦99.72 per litre, which could trigger an increase in retail pump prices nationwide. As of press time, neither the FIRS nor the NMDPRA had issued a statement confirming when the policy would take effect.

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Tinubu Reverses Maryam Sanda’s Pardon, Imposes 12-Year Prison Term

President Bola Tinubu has cancelled the presidential pardon previously granted to Maryam Sanda, who was convicted in 2020 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello. A new directive, issued through an official gazette on Wednesday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the reversal. The President approved a 12-year prison sentence for Sanda on compassionate grounds. Sanda, who has spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, is now required to serve the remaining years of her term. The move follows widespread criticism of the earlier pardon, which many Nigerians described as a miscarriage of justice against the family of the late Bello. Additional details on the development are expected later.

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Tinubu Hosts Denmark’s Richest Man Anders Holch Povlsen In Push For Stronger Economic Ties

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday met with Denmark’s richest man, Anders Holch Povlsen, the Chief Executive Officer of Bestseller, at the State House in Abuja. The visit, announced by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, is part of ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration to attract foreign investment and strengthen Nigeria’s economic ties with Denmark. Povlsen, who also oversees the Bestseller Foundation, was accompanied by Denmark’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens Hansen, along with other top Danish officials. The meeting also had in attendance the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. Onanuga confirmed the engagement in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Denmark’s richest man, Mr Anders Holch Povlsen of BESTSELLER & BESTSELLER FOUNDATION, visited President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, Tuesday, October 28, 2025.” The meeting reflects Tinubu’s continued push to attract global investors and deepen economic cooperation as part of his broader strategy to revitalize Nigeria’s economy through international partnerships.

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Tinubu Reshuffles Military Leadership, Appoints New Service Chiefs

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved fresh appointments in the Nigerian Armed Forces, marking a major overhaul of the country’s military leadership aimed at boosting national security and operational effectiveness. In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, the President named former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, as the new Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Musa. The newly appointed Service Chiefs are: Chief of Defence Staff: Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede Chief of Army Staff: Major-General W. Shaibu Chief of Air Staff: Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke Chief of Naval Staff: Rear Admiral I. Abbas Chief of Defence Intelligence: Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye (retains position) According to the presidency, the shake-up is part of the administration’s commitment to reposition the armed forces for improved synergy, enhanced professionalism, and stronger response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

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Tinubu Swears In Amupitan As INEC Chairman

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking the beginning of a new leadership era for Nigeria’s electoral body. The ceremony took place on Thursday at the State House in Abuja, one week after the Senate confirmed Amupitan’s appointment on October 16, following a rigorous screening exercise. In his address, President Tinubu charged the new INEC Chairman to “protect the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and the entire electoral process” while building on the institutional strength and independence of the commission. Amupitan, who arrived at the State House in a white agbada and gold cap, was accompanied by presidential aides and several dignitaries. The professor of law’s nomination had earlier been endorsed by the National Council of State before Senate confirmation. The 58-year-old legal scholar succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure recently ended, becoming the sixth substantive head of INEC since its establishment. During his Senate screening, Amupitan outlined his plans to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s elections by strengthening the Electoral Act, harmonising election timelines, and improving transparency in result transmission. He told lawmakers: “We must conduct elections where even the loser will congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won fairly and well.’ When that happens, voters’ confidence will naturally be restored.” Addressing speculations linking him to President Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria dismissed the claims, saying: “I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any of the parties.” Following his swearing-in, Professor Amupitan is expected to assume duties immediately at the INEC headquarters in Abuja and begin the transition process at the commission.

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