Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump over his recent threat to deploy American troops to Nigeria, describing the remark as reckless and based on a flawed understanding of the country’s security situation. Soyinka spoke on Friday after meeting Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi.
The playwright said Trump’s comments suggested a “pre-set mindset” and lacked proper analysis. He warned that unilateral military intervention would disregard ongoing efforts to address insecurity. “You don’t just open your mouth and say, ‘I’m coming to help you whether you like it or not,’” Soyinka said. He added that victims of violence deserve respect, along with those working to find solutions.
Trump had on October 31 designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” alleging that Christians faced an existential threat. In a post on Truth Social, he claimed thousands of Christians were being killed by “radical Islamists” and urged U.S. lawmakers to investigate. He also warned that the U.S. must be prepared to act and previously threatened to send American forces “guns-a-blazing” if attacks continued. Reports have indicated that U.S. military planners have drafted contingency options.
President Bola Tinubu has rejected Trump’s characterisation, insisting that Nigeria does not persecute Christians and that the claim does not reflect the country’s reality. He said his administration continues to work with religious leaders across faiths to strengthen security.
On Thursday, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa held a public hearing on Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria. The session examined religious-freedom concerns, with testimonies from State Department officials, analysts, religious leaders and policy experts. Committee Chairman Chris Smith said Nigeria faces “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom,” while witnesses presented varied perspectives on the causes and scope of violence.
