By Adelodun Adetoyese
Dear Nigerians,
Let us enlighten ourselves about something they don’t want you to know. When America suddenly starts talking about “human rights” and “religious persecution” in another country, it rarely involves morals. It’s nearly always about money, power, or control.
Donald Trump has now proclaimed that Nigeria will be designated as a “nation of special concern.” He asserts that “Christians face an existential threat.” Does this sound noble? But please, open your eyes.
I’m not here to tell you that the massacres in Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Kwara, and other parts of North Central Nigeria aren’t happening. Yes, they are. They’re tragic. Every innocent life matters. Either Christian or Muslim. However, I feel that America’s sudden moral awakening over Nigeria is not motivated by genuine sympathy. It’s based on calculations.
Let’s talk facts with observations.
We all know that the United States has imposed a 15% tariff on Nigerian imports. Nigeria responded by banning 25 American imports. This did not sit well with them. They expected us to bend our knees like before. But the administration said, “No.”
Then we started taking bold steps towards energy independence. Local refining. New Tax on imported fuel products. A determined decision to avoid relying on foreign (mostly Western) refiners who have milked us for decades. That has suddenly become an issue for them.
Do you observe the pattern?
When you rely on them, they consider you an ally. When you stand alone, you become a source of concern.
Nigeria is also moving closer to the BRICS alliance, which is developing a new currency to challenge the dominance of the US dollar. America regards this as a form of rebellion. The Yuan-Naira trade with China is already helping to strengthen the Naira and shaking Washington’s tables.
Now add this: Nigeria has taken a firm stance against the Gaza genocide. We did not follow the West in excusing the massacre of women and children. And, guess what? This, too, upset them.
Oya, connect the dots.
Nigeria will not be intimidated economically. Nigeria plans to refine its own crude. Nigeria joins BRICS and backs a new global currency. Nigeria speaks out against the injustice in Gaza. Nigeria refused deportations from other countries.
Then suddenly, America “discovers” that Christians are being killed in Nigeria and threatens sanctions, and you’re there supporting it because you don’t like the government of the day.
Who is fooling whom?
If America actually cared about persecuted Christians, it would start by looking in its own backyard, where white nationalists shoot worshippers in churches, synagogues and mosques. But they won’t because this isn’t a faith issue. It is about finances.
The current situation is typical of Western geopolitics. Cause a moral panic. Paint the target country as unstable to justify economic pressure or covert intervention.
They did it to Libya when Gaddafi attempted to create a gold-backed dinar. They did it to Iraq when Saddam sought to sell oil in euros. And now they’re crafting the same screenplay for Nigeria.
If they cannot control you, they will attempt to cripple you.
Let me emphasise: if America cannot control Nigeria, they will try to destroy it.
This is why we need to remain vigilant and unified. We can solve our own internal problems, but we must not tolerate outside influence masquerading as care.
Now is the moment for Nigeria to achieve true energy independence, currency independence, and narrative independence. Because the day we take charge of our own story, we control our fate.
Let me conclude with this truth: America’s “concern” for Nigeria is not religious. It is about resources, influence, and power. It is not about Christianity. It’s all about control. And until Nigerians learn that geopolitics is not charity, we will continue to mistake manipulation for benevolence.
Adelodun Adetoyese is an Oyo State-based political analyst, public affairs commentator, and health advocate for the Sickle Cell Lifeline Foundation.