Pastor Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, says U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) and his claims of Christian genocide are driven by a deeper interest in Nigeria’s oil and mineral wealth.
Delivering a State of the Nation Address, Bakare argued that the Trump administration views Nigeria’s oil, minerals, real estate, and emerging technology sectors as strategic to its foreign and economic agenda. He recalled a vision following Trump’s 2024 election victory in which Trump arrived in Lagos dressed in Arabian attire — a symbol he interpreted as pointing to geopolitical interests tied to Middle East politics, oil, and technology.
“It was clear to us that President Donald Trump was going to have a particular interest in Nigeria. Nigeria’s oil wealth and other mineral resources will be critical to the Trump presidency, as will our role in the value chain of emerging technologies,” Bakare said.
He cautioned that the symbolism of the attire also carried religious undertones that, if mishandled, could heighten social tensions. Describing Trump’s leadership style as transactional, he urged the Nigerian government to craft a mutually beneficial business strategy that aligns with U.S. interests while safeguarding Nigeria’s security, education, industrialisation, and access to advanced technology.
Bakare also criticized Nigeria’s deepening insecurity — especially in the Middle Belt, North-West, and South-East — describing persistent attacks as a “shame on the Nigerian state.” He urged President Bola Tinubu to act decisively, recommending a national apology, a Victims and Survivors Register, stronger military and paramilitary deployment, and expanded surveillance systems. He also called for state, zonal, and community policing under federal oversight.
Highlighting what he called Nigeria’s “real challenge,” Bakare pointed to the unresolved “Nigeria Question” — issues of identity, dignity, equity, coexistence, and governance — that he said must be addressed for national stability.