Pastor Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, has claimed that President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) is driven by Washington’s interest in Nigeria’s oil and mineral resources. Bakare spoke during a State of the Nation Address at his church on Sunday, marking his first public response since Trump’s October 31 announcement.
According to Bakare, the Trump administration views Nigeria not only as a major oil and gas producer but also as an important player in real estate and emerging technology sectors, which are central to US foreign and economic policy. He described Trump’s leadership style as “transactional” and urged the Nigerian government to negotiate strategic business deals that safeguard national interests while facilitating mutually beneficial American investments.
Recalling a vision he had shortly after Trump’s 2024 election win, Bakare said he saw the former US president arriving in Lagos dressed in traditional Middle Eastern attire, signaling both economic and religious stakes in Nigeria. He warned that mismanaged interactions could lead to religiously fueled social tensions.
Bakare also highlighted the country’s persistent security challenges, criticizing the government and National Assembly for failing to address violence in the Middle Belt, North-West, and South-East. He cited repeated attacks on Christian communities in Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna, saying international attention only arose after the US Congress intervened, while Nigerian lawmakers prioritized political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections.
To stabilize the country, Bakare proposed establishing a national Victims and Survivors Register with formal apologies to affected communities, expanding state, zonal, and community policing systems under federal coordination, and recalibrating national security with a technical, non-political intelligence directorate. He also suggested implementing a two-year National Youth Service Corps scheme with military training integrated into the first year, and adopting a dual foreign policy framework, engaging the Middle East through a Trans-Saharan approach and cooperating with Western partners through a Trans-Atlantic strategy.
Bakare stressed that Nigeria must confront deep-rooted structural challenges related to identity, equity, and governance, describing these as critical to long-term stability. He urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritize bold reforms over political calculations, warning that only decisive action could stabilize the nation.
The pastor’s address comes amid heightened tensions following Trump’s CPC designation and comments on terrorism in Nigeria, which had prompted swift responses from the Tinubu administration. Bakare emphasized that strategic negotiation and forward-looking economic planning could turn the situation into an opportunity for Nigeria’s growth rather than a source of external pressure.
