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BREAKING: Trump Sanctions Nigeria Over ‘Mass Slaughter’ of Christians
Trump designates Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” citing Christian persecution and directing US lawmakers to investigate the killings
US President Donald Trump has announced that Nigeria is being designated a “country of particular concern”, citing the escalating violence and persecution of Christians across the West African nation.
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In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Friday, Trump said Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria, where thousands of believers have been killed by what he described as “radical Islamists.”
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.
I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — but that is the least of it,” Trump wrote.
He added that “the United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries.”
To underscore his stance, Trump said he has directed Rep. Riley Moore (R-W.Va.), Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), and members of the House Appropriations Committee to launch an investigation into the crisis and present their findings to him.
“We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world,” he declared.
The former President’s statement comes amid increasing global concern over religious violence in Nigeria. Churches have been attacked, entire villages razed, and worshippers murdered in several northern and central states.
In one of the most recent incidents, militants stormed the village of a bishop who had testified before Congress about Christian persecution, killing over twenty residents.
Similar attacks in Plateau and Benue states this year alone have claimed hundreds of lives, with survivors recounting how gunmen shouted “Allahu Akbar” as they set homes and churches ablaze.
Rights groups have long accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect vulnerable communities from extremist violence, including those carried out by Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed herder militias.
While Nigeria was previously designated a “country of particular concern” by the US State Department in 2020, the classification was lifted under President Joe Biden in 2021 — a move that drew criticism from religious freedom advocates.
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Trump’s renewed designation, though symbolic for now, signals a potential shift in tone within sections of the US political establishment as the 2024 election cycle continues to shape debates over foreign policy and religious liberty.
The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.
Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.
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Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.
Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.
The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.
It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.
Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.
Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”
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Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”
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