Nigeria has been in the news lately. A few developments in the Senate and other arms of government make one wonder whether we still have any sense of standards. In other countries, the Senate President would, by now, be under investigation for multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, both inside and outside the Senate. Sadly, we have turned our nation into a place where anything goes.
However, the focus of this discussion is the international attention on the ongoing Christian genocide in Nigeria. I was stunned by the reaction of the nation, the government, the church, and the people. Our responses have been disappointing. We are divided over whether the killings are real. Worse still, some have turned it into a matter of U.S.–Nigeria politics. There are even claims that Donald Trump intends to invade Nigeria to seize oil wells, a deeply disappointing rhetoric on matters that involve life and death for many Nigerian communities.
I studied in Northern Nigeria until 1980. Although religion has always been a sensitive issue, it was never this bad. Over the decades, successive military and civilian governments failed to act decisively. Some leaders shared the religious bias, while others believed that doing nothing was the only way to retain political power. Their inaction allowed the flames to grow.
As the killing of Christians intensified in the North, many churches in the South were indifferent. I often heard the saying, “Gambari pa Fulani, ko lejo nu”—meaning, “If Northerners kill themselves, it’s not our concern.” We now know that such indifference has expanded the crisis to a national scale. What happened to Paul’s teaching to the church in Corinth?
“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” —1 Corinthians 12:26
We turned a blind eye as our brothers and sisters were massacred in Plateau, Borno, Adamawa, and other states. What excuse will we give when we stand before God?
The situation worsened from 2015, after President Buhari was elected. Everything became politicized. People began claiming that the killings affected “everyone,” not just Christians. But the communities crying out were the ones losing lives daily for decades. Under Nasir El-Rufai’s administration in Kaduna State, entire Christian communities were targeted for elimination. The blood of our brothers and sisters is on our hands for failing to intervene meaningfully.
Donald J. Trump is one of the few American presidents who has openly defended the cause of persecuted Christians around the world. His administration consistently addressed the persecution of Christians, starting within his own country, and took decisive measures where necessary. Those who celebrate his designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” understand that Trump does not play politics with the lives of Christians. His concern is genuine.
So, what is our response to Trump’s warning? Are we denying the genocide? Denial is not a solution. The government must propose real, actionable responses. Criminality is curbed by holding perpetrators accountable. Nigeria has descended into lawlessness because enforcement agencies ignore criminal behavior. At various times, the government has even offered amnesty to bandits. Meanwhile, powerful individuals who serve as sponsors and protectors of these criminals walk freely on our streets.
As President Trump said, “Something must be done.”
Nigeria should take that warning seriously.
Michael Jolayemi is the Author of:
- Saving America: The war we can’t ignore
- Sheltered Through the Storm: The Travails and Ultimate Triumph of the Church
- The Mysteries of God, the Origin We Don’t Know, the Eternity We Should Believe
- Watch out for his next book – Defying Death – How to Live and Not Die
