US intervention in Nigeria a blessing, says First Lady
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has described recent United States intervention and heightened scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation as “a blessing,” saying it has helped attract global attention to the country’s
- ...First Lady says global attention has opened dialogue on insecurity, reforms
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has described recent United States intervention and heightened scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation as “a blessing,” saying it has helped attract global attention to the country’s challenges and reforms.
Mrs Tinubu spoke in an interview with Fox News in Washington, D.C., where she reflected on the growing international focus on Nigeria, including criticisms over insecurity, allegations of attacks on Christians, and reported US military actions targeting militant groups in parts of northern Nigeria.
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She said that although the attention has been intense, it has opened up space for dialogue and stronger engagement with international partners.
“It was quite a blessing. Who would have thought that President Trump would recognise me? Even to say the least, it was unexpected,” she said, linking the moment to broader conversations now taking place about Nigeria’s security realities and reform efforts.
The First Lady said difficult moments often precede positive outcomes, adding that increased global attention could ultimately benefit both Nigeria and the United States.
“If something is going to be good, it will come from the rubble. And it starts like that. Then we have the attention, the conversations, and we expect there will be more. It’s going to yield better fruit for us, both for Nigeria and for America,” she added.
Read Also: Jimoh Ibrahim hails First Lady’s role in reframing Nigeria’s image abroad
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Mrs Tinubu also addressed concerns raised in some US policy circles over claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, insisting that insecurity in the country is not a faith-based campaign but a broader challenge driven by terrorism and criminality.
She said the federal government was actively confronting insecurity and engaging international partners to clarify the realities on the ground.
The First Lady highlighted steps taken by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the recruitment of additional police and military personnel, the arming of forest guards to secure remote areas where militants operate, and the redeployment of security forces to flashpoints such as Plateau, Benue, and Taraba states.
“Our country encourages freedom of religion, which is entrenched in our constitution. We are focused on protecting our people while also creating conditions for economic growth,” she said.
Her remarks came days after former US President Donald Trump publicly recognised her at the US National Prayer Breakfast on January 5, describing her as “a very respected woman” and “a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria.”
The renewed spotlight also followed reports of US airstrikes on terrorist camps in northern Nigeria amid allegations of targeted attacks on Christians, developments that have further placed Nigeria’s security situation under international attention.
