Pius Nsabe
China has thrown its weight behind Nigeria and cautioned against foreign interference following recent remarks by United States President Donald Trump threatening potential military action against Nigeria. Trump had claimed that the Nigerian government was permitting the persecution of Christians, a charge authorities in Abuja have strongly denied.
Speaking in Beijing on Tuesday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, reaffirmed China’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration and underscored Beijing’s longstanding opposition to external meddling in the internal affairs of sovereign nations. Mao described Nigeria as a “comprehensive strategic partner” and stressed that every nation has the right to pursue development in line with its domestic realities and national priorities. She noted that China “firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions or force,” a remark widely interpreted as a direct response to Trump’s statement.
Tension between Nigeria and the United States escalated after Trump suggested that Washington could take drastic steps, including halting assistance and deploying force, if alleged attacks on Christians continued. This followed the U.S. State Department’s decision on October 31 to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), citing alleged large-scale violations of religious freedom. The designation places Nigeria alongside countries that Washington believes are responsible for systematic religious persecution.
The Nigerian government has dismissed the allegations, insisting that the country remains committed to protecting citizens of all faiths and that security challenges are driven by criminality and extremism rather than religious targeting. Officials have also accused external actors of oversimplifying Nigeria’s complex security landscape.
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China’s statement is viewed as a significant diplomatic backing for Abuja at a moment of heightened geopolitical scrutiny. Analysts say the move underscores Beijing’s interest in maintaining strong ties with Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, amid increasing U.S.–China rivalry on the continent. With Nigeria currently recalibrating its global diplomatic engagements and preparing to unveil new ambassadorial appointments, China’s high-profile support adds an international dimension to the growing debate over foreign narratives surrounding Nigeria’s security challenges.
The declaration from Beijing reinforces Nigeria’s position that international partners should engage constructively rather than threaten punitive measures, and it signals China’s continued commitment to defending sovereignty and non-interference as key pillars of its foreign policy.