The Diplomatic Row Between Nigeria and the United States
Ambassador Danjuma Nanpon Sheni, a retired career diplomat who served in many foreign missions, has shared his insights on the current diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and the United States. He retired as a permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and now offers a critical perspective on the situation.
Understanding the Designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”
President Donald Trump has designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” following claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria. This designation is based on the International Religious Freedom Act established in 1989. It indicates that the U.S. government believes a particular religion — in this case Christianity — is being profiled or persecuted persistently with the approval, tacit or otherwise, of the state.
This is not the first time Nigeria has been designated as such. During the Trump administration in 2020, Nigeria was similarly designated but later reversed by President Biden. Now, it has happened again, which is a serious and worrying development for Nigerians.
Once a country is designated as a “Country of Particular Concern,” it sends a clear signal to the rest of the world that something is wrong with that nation in terms of religious freedom. Countries like Sudan, North Korea, Cuba, and even China have been in this category before.
Perception and Reality in Religious Persecution Claims
As a Christian, Ambassador Sheni finds it difficult to fully agree that Christians are being systematically persecuted in Nigeria. What he sees is that human beings are being killed regardless of faith. People are being killed by insurgents and bandits across communities. In Plateau State, for instance, people have had to bury others. However, he does not believe that the federal or state governments are sponsoring these killings.
He also points out that Muslims and traditional worshippers are being slaughtered, and this is completely unacceptable. Labeling everything along religious lines will not help the nation. If some leaders, especially Christian leaders, believe or have evidence that the Nigerian state is complicit in these massacres, that is a different issue. But as an individual, he does not have access to such information.
Consequences of the Designation
The U.S. State Department’s designation could lead to punitive actions against Nigeria if the government does not take immediate and positive steps to address the perception. This includes restrictions on U.S. aid, military assistance, and health-related support. There is also the potential imposition of economic sanctions and other penalties on Nigeria.
Ambassador Sheni notes that this latest action appears hasty, almost like a preemptive move by the U.S. against Nigeria. This happened just last week, without much engagement. As diplomats, some of us are saddened that at such a critical time, Nigeria does not have substantive ambassadors in key countries.
The Need for Strong Diplomatic Engagement
Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement is poor. With Trump, he often acts unpredictably; he may start from the end and then work backward. So Nigeria must be very careful. This is a time for serious diplomatic engagement. We must step up our diplomatic engagement to avoid sanctions; President Trump is not predictable.
Ambassador Sheni believes that Nigeria is taking too long to react to this crisis, and its engagement has not been as prompt and well planned as it ought to be. At the international level, we lack capacity as defined by principal representatives — people who can speak with authority and credibility on behalf of the country.
Recommendations for the President
If given the opportunity to advise the president personally, Ambassador Sheni would recommend moving quickly. Engage our friends to talk to their friends. That’s how diplomacy works. International relations are not so different from human relationships. If there is a misunderstanding, a mutual friend might speak on one’s behalf.
Nigeria also needs to take an honest look at its internal situation. Is there some truth in what certain Christian leaders are saying? Conduct an independent assessment. How did these groups in the U.S. arrive at their conclusions? What data, what documents, and what videos were presented to the U.S. Congress?
Ambassador Sheni emphasizes the importance of appointing substantive ambassadors immediately. The process itself takes time, anywhere between six months to one year. After the president nominates candidates, the list must go to the Senate for confirmation. That requires security clearance and background checks, which can take months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United States highlights the need for strong and strategic engagement. Ambassador Sheni’s insights underscore the importance of addressing the perception of religious persecution and improving Nigeria’s diplomatic presence globally. As he rightly states, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The president should take that first step now — appoint substantive ambassadors and send them out.