Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has sharply criticised US President Donald Trump’s threat to send American troops to Nigeria, describing the comments as reflecting a lack of understanding of the country’s complex security challenges.
Soyinka made the remarks on Friday in Makurdi, following a meeting with Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia. He emphasised that no foreign leader can intervene in Nigeria’s security issues without a careful assessment of the local context.
“Is that the language of somebody whose head is correct? Any government has an obligation to ensure the welfare of its citizens. But at least, have some respect for victims and those trying to find solutions to the unacceptable situation,” Soyinka said.
The Nobel laureate, who has previously noted that Nigeria’s ongoing security crises are not driven by religion but by violent extremists exploiting faith for political and economic gain, criticised Trump for suggesting he would “come to help” without a proper analysis of the situation.
Trump had on October 31 designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged killings of Christians and warned that US forces could be deployed if the attacks continued.
President Bola Tinubu dismissed the designation, stating that it “does not reflect our national reality.”
On Thursday, US lawmakers, religious leaders, and Department of State officials offered divided opinions during an open hearing by the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, discussing Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria.
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