In the latest turn of escalating diplomatic tensions, the government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received a show of backing from People’s Republic of China as it confronts threats of possible military action from the Donald Trump administration in the United States over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Chinese officials reaffirmed their support for Nigeria’s sovereignty and stability, saying African countries must resolve their own affairs without external meddling.
The spokesperson of China’s foreign ministry, Mao Ning, made this known on Tuesday, while answering a question at a press conference regarding US President Donald Trump’s threat of military action in Nigeria over the alleged persecution of Christians.
Ning described Nigeria as a comprehensive strategic partner and warned against interference in its internal affairs.
Ning said, “As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force”.
In response to the U.S. threats, Nigeria’s presidency rejected any unilateral intervention, emphasising that military action would need Nigeria’s consent and coordination. A presidential adviser described the U.S. threat as “misleading” and part of a more general campaign of pressure.
According to statements from the presidency:
* Nigeria remains committed to protecting the rights of all faith communities and has denied any state‑sanctioned campaign of Christian persecution.
* While foreign assistance is welcomed, any intervention must respect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
China’s backing matters in this context because it signals an alternative global diplomatic alignment for Nigeria—one that underscores non‑interference and multilateral respect—just as the U.S. adopts a more confrontational posture.
What’s at stake
Nigeria’s international standing is under scrutiny: the U.S. has placed it back on a “Countries of Particular Concern” list for religious freedom, and threats of military action raise questions about external respect for Nigeria’s domestic jurisdiction.
Domestically, the government faces the twin challenge of addressing serious security threats—insurgency, banditry, communal violence—and managing how these are framed externally. Analysts caution that mischaracterising complex violence purely as religious persecution may undermine Nigeria’s ability to design targeted solutions.
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With China voicing support and the U.S. threatening force, Nigeria is caught in a geopolitical moment where its sovereignty, security strategy and global partnerships are all under the spotlight. How the Tinubu government navigates these shifting dynamics will shape how the country is positioned on the world stage—and how it manages its own internal security challenges.
