BWALA TO TRUMP: YOU CAN’T DEPLOY US TROOPS IN NIGERIA WITHOUT TINUBU’S APPROVAL

By Ademola Adekusibe
November 3, 2025

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has warned that it would be diplomatically unacceptable for the United States to deploy troops or undertake any military operation in Nigeria without the consent of the federal government.

Speaking with the BBC World Service, Bwala stressed that Nigeria remains a sovereign nation and that all foreign interventions must be based on collaboration, not coercion.

His comment follows President Donald Trump’s controversial statement labelling Nigeria a “country of particular concern (CPC)” and accusing the government of allowing “genocide against Christians.”

Trump had warned that he could cut off US aid and send the “department of war” to “fight the terrorists attacking Christians.”

But Bwala dismissed the claim, saying Trump’s remarks were being “misunderstood,” and expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved when both leaders meet.

“There is no genocide against Christians in Nigeria. What we have is insecurity that affects everyone, Muslims, Christians, and non-religious people alike,” Bwala said.
“If it’s a joint action with the Nigerian government, that’s fine. But it’s diplomatically wrong to invade a sovereign country, especially a partner nation, without consultation.”

He commended Trump for authorising the sale of arms to Nigeria during his first term, describing it as an act of goodwill, but added that any future cooperation must be guided by verified data and mutual respect.

“Where such intervention may happen is when a country is complicit in its own crisis. That’s not the case in Nigeria,” he said.