Daniel Bwala, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, has clap back at the U.S. President Donald Trump, warning that no foreign power, not even the United States, can launch a military operation in Nigeria without Tinubu’s express consent.
Speaking on BBC World Service on Monday, Bwala said Nigeria is not a colony and will never accept any form of foreign intrusion disguised as humanitarian or security intervention.
His comments follow Trump’s recent declaration naming Nigeria a “country of particular concern” over alleged persecution of Christians.
Trump had threatened to withdraw U.S. aid and even hinted at using America’s “Department of War” to target terrorist groups he claimed were attacking Christians in Nigeria.
But Bwala waved off the threat, saying Trump’s words were “largely misinterpreted” and expressing confidence that the matter would be straightened out when Tinubu meets with his U.S. counterpart soon.
He praised Trump for his earlier support on Nigeria’s fight against insurgency, noting that his first term in office saw the approval of major arms sales to the Nigerian military.
“We are grateful to President Donald Trump because during his first term, he approved arms sales that strengthened Nigeria’s fight against insurgency.
“In his second term, he has again shown interest in supporting the fight against Boko Haram, which we welcome—but such efforts must rely on credible intelligence, not isolated reports or social media narratives,” Bwala said.
He dismissed the notion of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, stressing that insecurity affects everyone — Christians, Muslims, and others alike.
Responding directly to Trump’s warning of possible U.S. military involvement, Bwala drew a firm line.
“If it’s a joint operation with Nigeria, that’s acceptable. But diplomatically, it is wrong to invade a sovereign nation without collaboration—especially one that remains a strategic partner in the fight against insecurity.
“Unilateral intervention only happens when there is evidence that a government is complicit in a crisis. That is certainly not the case in Nigeria,” he said.
The comment has stirred reactions across diplomatic circles, with many viewing it as a bold message of sovereignty and defiance from Abuja to Washington.
