By HAN News Desk
ABUJA — Nigeria says its recent diplomatic disagreement with the United States over security concerns has been largely resolved.
The dispute arose after former President Donald Trump criticized Nigeria in October and November, claiming that Christians faced an “existential threat” amounting to “genocide” amid widespread insecurity.
“The recent diplomatic spat with the United States has been largely resolved through a firm, respectful engagement culminating in a strengthened partnership between America and Nigeria,” Nigeria’s Information Minister Mohammed Idris said at a year-end news conference in Abuja.
Nigeria’s government and independent analysts have rejected framing the country’s security challenges in terms of religious persecution. The government has been battling a terrorist threat in the northeast and armed “bandit” gangs in the northwest that loot villages and kidnap for ransom.
Idris made the comments after Nigeria hosted a U.S. congressional delegation earlier this month. Last week, Nigeria was among the countries affected by visa and immigration restrictions imposed by the Trump administration.
The minister also defended a recent U.S. aid deal, which will see Washington contribute $2.1 billion with a focus on promoting Christian faith-based health care providers. “Every Nigerian is going to be a beneficiary of this arrangement,” Idris said.
