By Katsina Times
Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has cautioned the United States government against taking actions that could destabilise Nigeria, warning that any foreign military intervention would be met with national resistance.
He made the remarks on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address at the 2025 NBA Conference in Akure.
Fani-Kayode, who reacted to recent commentary in U.S. media and renewed rhetoric from former U.S. President Donald Trump, described the framing of Nigeria’s insecurity as a “war on Christians” as inaccurate and capable of provoking dangerous foreign policy decisions.
Quoting James Barnett, a researcher at Oxford University who recently wrote in the Washington Post, Fani-Kayode noted that both Christians and Muslims have suffered atrocities at the hands of insurgents and criminal groups in the last two decades. He said focusing on only one side of the crisis distorts the complexity of the security situation.
Terrorism Affects All Communities
The former minister, who has long maintained a hardline stance on terrorism, restated his belief that all terror groups — including Boko Haram, ISWAP, Ansaru and armed bandits — must be eliminated without negotiation.
He argued that while Christian communities have suffered significant casualties, attacks on Muslim communities have been equally devastating, and that Nigeria’s insecurity cannot be reduced to a religious conflict.
Criticism of U.S. Threats
Fani-Kayode condemned statements credited to Trump suggesting the possibility of military action in Nigeria based on claims of widespread persecution of Christians. He alleged that such narratives could fuel external interference and threaten Nigeria’s sovereignty.
According to him, Nigeria is not facing an existential threat to Christianity, citing leadership structures across states and the federal government, and arguing that appointments under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reflect religious balance.
He faulted the suggestion that Nigeria is a “disgraced nation,” stating that the country remains resilient and strategically important in Africa.
Call for National Resolve
The former minister urged the Nigerian government not to bow to external pressure and to ensure that the Armed Forces are empowered to decisively defeat terrorist groups.
He also cautioned against what he described as “diplomatic missteps” in the handling of recent tensions with the U.S., warning that any perception of weakness could invite further aggression.
Appeal for Unity
Fani-Kayode appealed for unity across religious and ethnic lines, arguing that “all Nigerians are victims of insecurity,” and that the country must approach its challenges with a united front.
He called on citizens to have confidence in Nigeria’s ability to withstand external pressures and insisted that the nation’s future would be safeguarded.
Fani-Kayode concluded by affirming faith in Nigeria’s survival, saying the country would not suffer the fate of conflict-ridden nations.
